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Biology LibreTexts

2: Scientific Method

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Pre-Lab: The Scientific Method

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lab, students should be able to:

  • Define and explain the scientific method.
  • Differentiate between testable and non-testable hypotheses.
  • Understand the importance of falsifiability in science.
  • Recognize biases and emotional responses in scientific reasoning.

 

Background Information:

Science is built on systematic observation, experimentation, and reasoning. The scientific method provides a structured way to investigate the world by forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, and analyzing results. A key principle in science is falsifiability—the ability to prove an idea wrong through evidence. Without falsifiability, an idea falls outside the realm of science.

Key Concepts to Review Before Lab:

  • Scientific Method Steps: Observation, Question, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Analysis, Conclusion.
  • Falsifiability: Why testable ideas are fundamental in scientific research.
  • Cognitive Biases: How emotional responses can mislead scientific reasoning.
  • Examples of Scientific Reasoning: Red Dragon Hypothesis, Dihydrogen Monoxide example.

Pre-Lab Questions:

  • Why is falsifiability important in science?
  • How does the Red Dragon Hypothesis illustrate the concept of falsifiability?
  • Describe an example where emotional bias might influence scientific conclusions.
  • Formulate a testable hypothesis for the question: "Does listening to music while studying improve test performance?"

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Chapter Two

The Scientific Methods

Alright, let's dive into the world of science! To grasp the concept, we'll begin with the main idea – science is a systematic approach to understanding the natural world by observing and experimenting. It's like following steps to cook a food dish, but for scientists, these steps ensure their findings are reliable and accurate. Now, at the heart of it all is the scientific method. This method tells scientists that the ideas they come up with, called hypotheses, need to be both testable and falsifiable. What does that mean? It means the conclusions they draw should be open to scrutiny and could be proven wrong. This sets science apart from beliefs that can't be tested. It's like having a recipe that can be tasted and adjusted to make sure it's just right. So, as we explore science, remember, it's all about observing, experimenting, and making sure our ideas can stand up to testing and scrutiny.

Why is falsifiability important in science? Imagine the Red Dragon Hypothesis (By Carl Sagan) – someone claims to have an invisible red dragon in their garage. Now, no matter what questions you throw at them, they can come up with explanations to justify the dragon's existence. This scenario highlights the difficulty of conducting scientific investigations on ideas that can't be proven wrong. Now, this is where the importance of falsifiability comes in. It emphasizes why hypotheses must be testable and open to the possibility of being proven incorrect. Think of it like this – in science, we want our ideas to be like recipes that can be tasted and adjusted. We need to be able to test and scrutinize them to ensure they stand up to examination. By insisting on falsifiability, science stays grounded in what can be observed and tested. This sets it apart from ideas that can't be checked, helping us maintain a solid foundation in the pursuit of knowledge. So, always remember, in the world of science, we want ideas that can be tested and potentially proven wrong – that's what keeps our investigations reliable and grounded.

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The Lion Image by ChatGPT. The Window Image by https://unsplash.com/@matheusfrade. The Car Image by https://unsplash.com/@aahubs
Figure: The Pervasive Phenomenon. This figure explores our innate tendency to perceive meaningful patterns, particularly faces, in random stimuli. The image depicts a scenario where a lion is camouflaged in the grass, triggering our instinct to recognize faces for survival. However, what if there's just a shadow resembling a face and no actual lion? Look closely, and you might notice faces in unexpected places – a car's grille, the pattern on a door, or even the arrangement of clouds in the sky. This illustrates how our brains are wired to seek familiar patterns, sometimes leading us to see faces where none actually exist.

Before we explore the details of science, let's delve into why studying science is so crucial. If we rewind the clock 60,000 years to our ancestors, survival was all about recognizing potential dangers. Even today, those survival instincts impact how we perceive things, sometimes leading us to believe in ideas that aren't quite true. Our tendency to see patterns and meanings where there are none can result in misguided beliefs – think horoscopes, illusions, or mythical creatures. To illustrate this, let's consider an example in figure 2.1. Remember that picture with the camouflage of a lion in the grass? Most students say they see a face first, and when asked if they would run away, many respond with a yes. Now, here's the twist – what if there's just a shadow resembling a face, and no actual lion? Would they still run away? The people back then who chose to run, even if there wasn't a lion, represent our ancestors who succeeded in seeing faces, a trait likely linked to their survival. This natural bias to see faces on objects, even when they don't exist, is deeply ingrained in us.

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The Climbing from Ocean Image by https://unsplash.com/@dallehj

Figure: Beware of Dihydrogen Monoxide! It's in our homes, our bodies, everywhere! This colorless, odorless liquid is linked to 100% of drowning cases and Hyponatremia. Stay vigilant – ban Dihydrogen Monoxide!

Alright, let's dive into the scientific method, which is more than just a set of steps – it's a way of thinking. Encouraging critical thinking involves questioning information that comes our way. To illustrate this, we'll explore the Dihydrogen Monoxide scenario in figure 2.2. In a classroom setting, we used the example involving dihydrogen monoxide, which is essentially water. This example took the form of an exaggerated satire commercial, portraying dihydrogen monoxide as hazardous and toxic, similar to carbon monoxide. The use of alarming terms aimed to trigger an emotional response. Following this, students were asked if they would like to purify our drinks from dihydrogen monoxide. Surprisingly, most students answered yes. However, this immediate reaction was driven by an emotional bias. They skipped crucial steps in the scientific method, jumping straight to a conclusion. This scenario underscores the importance of starting with the fundamental step of asking questions before drawing conclusions. By dissecting emotional manipulation in seemingly factual claims, we equip ourselves to navigate information more critically. As we navigate the scientific method, remember the significance of questioning and not letting emotions cloud our judgment

The initiation of the scientific journey hinges on asking the right questions. Not every question fits the scientific mold – the key is to formulate questions that are both testable and falsifiable. For example, asking whether a student is possessed by a demon might be intriguing, but it lacks the attributes needed for scientific inquiry. The concept of a demon is not well-defined or measurable, making it impossible to test or falsify. On the flip side, a question like "How tall is my trashcan?" is an excellent example. It's specific, measurable, and can be tested and falsified based on concrete observations.

Now, onto the next crucial step in the scientific method – formulating a hypothesis. While some of you might be familiar with the "if" and "then" structure, it essentially boils down to making an educated guess derived from observations. For instance, if we're exploring the height of a trashcan, a hypothesis could be as straightforward as "I think the trashcan is about 3 feet tall based on my observation." This sets the stage for further investigation and represents our initial educated guess. Testing the height of the trashcan can be done using tools like a ruler or measuring tape, providing tangible data that either supports or challenges the initial hypothesis. This systematic approach ensures that scientific inquiry is grounded in empirical evidence, fostering a disciplined and reliable way for us to understand the world around us.

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Summary

During this lab, students applied the scientific method to assess testable hypotheses. They also examined cognitive biases and the importance of falsifiability. Key examples, such as the Red Dragon Hypothesis and the Dihydrogen Monoxide scenario, were discussed to reinforce critical thinking.

The scientific method is more than a classroom exercise—it is a fundamental approach to understanding reality. Whether evaluating medical treatments, analyzing news reports, or making everyday decisions, applying the principles of testability and falsifiability ensures we rely on evidence rather than assumptions. By critically analyzing information and questioning biases, we can make informed choices in both science and life.

Post-Lab Questions
  1. Reflect on an instance in today’s lab where you or a classmate encountered bias. How did it affect the scientific process?
  2. Why is it important to ask testable and falsifiable questions in science?
  3. If you had to explain the scientific method to someone unfamiliar with science, how would you describe it?
  4. What improvements would you suggest to make scientific inquiry more rigorous in everyday decision-making?

 


This page titled 2: Scientific Method is shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Victor Pham.

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