Science is a process
Scientific inquiry is a search for
information and explanation
Two Types of Scientific Inquiry
Two Types of Scientific Inquiry
 Discovery Science - describes nature
Two Types of Scientific Inquiry
 Discovery Science - describes nature
 Hypothesis-based Science – helps to explain
natural phenomena
Two Types of Scientific Inquiry
 Discovery Science - describes nature through
observation
 Hypothesis-based Science - explains the
observations & how biological systems work
Both arrive at conclusions using logic and
reasoning
Types of Reasoning
Types of Reasoning
Inductive
Reasoning flows from the specific to the
general
Types of Reasoning
Inductive
Reasoning flows from the specific to the
general
Deductive
Reasoning flows from the general to the
specific
Discovery Science
- Observations are made and recorded (data),
may be qualitative or quantitative
Discovery Science
- Observations are made and recorded (data),
may be qualitative or quantitative
Examples: Cell description
databases of DNA sequences
chimpanzee behavior
- Uses inductive reasoning
Hypothesis-based Science
Hypothesis-based Science
- Seeks natural causes and explanation for
observation
Hypothesis-based Science
- Seeks natural causes and explanation for
observation (How & Why)
- Uses deductive reasoning
Applying hypothetico-deductive reasoning to a campground
problem
Hypothesis
Hypothesis
• A possible explanation for a well-defined
question
Hypothesis
• A possible explanation for a well-defined
question
• Proposed based on past experience and
data made available through discovery
science
Hypothesis
• A possible explanation for a well-defined
question
• Proposed based on past experience and
data made available through discovery
science
• Leads to a prediction which can be
tested- measurable and controllable
Steps of hypothesis-driven scientific
inquiry
Steps of hypothesis-driven scientific
inquiry
 Observation based on established
knowledge
Steps of hypothesis-driven scientific
inquiry
 Observation based on established
knowledge
 Question
Steps of hypothesis-driven scientific
inquiry
 Observation based on established
knowledge
 Question
 Hypothesis
Steps of hypothesis-driven scientific
inquiry
 Observation based on established
knowledge
 Question
 Hypothesis
 Prediction (if…….then) testable
Steps of hypothesis-driven scientific inquiry




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Observation based on established knowledge
Question
Hypothesis
Prediction (if…….then) testable
Designing and conducting experiment
(controlled)
Steps of hypothesis-driven scientific inquiry





Observation based on established knowledge
Question
Hypothesis
Prediction (if…….then) testable
Designing and conducting experiment
(controlled)
 Obtaining results (data)
Steps of hypothesis-driven scientific inquiry





Observation based on established knowledge
Question
Hypothesis
Prediction (if…….then) testable
Designing and conducting experiment
(controlled)
 Obtaining results (data)
 Analysis & Conclusion (whether data supports
or does not support the hypothesis)
Steps of hypothesis-driven scientific
inquiry







Observation based on established knowledge
Question
Hypothesis
Prediction (if…….then) testable
Design and conducting experiment(controlled)
Obtaining results (data)
Analysis & Conclusion (whether data supports
or does not support the prediction and the
hypothesis)
 Revision of hypothesis (if necessary)
Theory
Theory
A general statement about a comprehensive
concept supported by much evidence.
Theory
A general statement about a comprehensive
concept supported by much evidence.
Broader than a hypothesis
Brings together many conclusions
Theory
A general statement about a comprehensive
concept supported by much evidence.
Broader than a hypothesis
Brings together many conclusions
Example: The Cell Theory
An explanation offered by a hypothesis must
be for a question that is
Well-defined
Testable
measurable
controllable
Elements of Experimental Design
•Identification of the:
Independent Variable - the factor that will be manipulated/altered by
the scientist from experimental setup to setup
Dependent Variable - the factor that is counted, measured or observed
Uncontrolled Variables - alternative independent variables that have
not been accounted/compensated for that may impact results
Controlled Variables - alternative independent variables we have
accounted for (kept uniform among different groups)
•Instituting a control - a setup where the independent variable is held
constant or omitted so that the control treatment serves as a
benchmark, yielding either an expected positive or negative
value/result.
Presenting Results
• Data is presented commonly in two standard
formats: Figures and/or Tables
• Figures include graphs, charts, diagrams,
sketches, pictures/photos, etc.
• When in graphical format, figures need
appropriately labeled axes
• Additionally, all figures need an appropriate
label & title that have been correctly positioned
below the graph
• For example:
Plant Height (centimeters)
[Dependent Variable (y-axis)]




Concentration of CO2 (parts per million)
[Independent Variable (x-axis)]
Figure 1. Effect of CO2 Concentration on Growth of Strawberry Plant
label
Title (very descriptive)
Choosing an Appropriate
Graphing Format
• Line graph vs. Bar Graph vs. Scatter Plot
• Line Graph - used in the presentation of continuous
data; plot separate data points and then connect the
points using lines
• Bar Graph - used for data from separate distinct groups
or non-numerical categories
• Scatter Plot - use data to determine how much one
variable is affected by the other; the closer the data
points come when plotted to making a straight line, the
higher the correlation between the two variables, or the
stronger the relationship - correlations can be positive
(showing a proportional relationship) or negative
(inversely proportional relationship)
• Tables are constructed with 2 columns and
multiple rows - each column receives a heading
with the left column representing the independent
variable and the right column representing the
dependent variable
• Tables also need an appropriate label & title that
have been correctly positioned above the table
• For example:
Table 1. Growth of Strawberry Plant When Exposed to Differing
Amounts of CO2 Gas.
CO2 Concentration
(parts per million)
5
Plant Height
(centimeters)
5
10
7
15
15
20
19
• Labeling of Figures and Tables is conducted
independently of one another
• For example, if there is a figure to start with
followed by a table followed by two more figures
followed by a final table, the labeling would occur
as such:
Figure 1.
Table 1.
Figure 2.
Figure 3.
Table 2.
Experimental Investigation: Lab 1
Observation:
A person with high cardiovascular fitness
has relatively lower resting pulse rate and
a lower respiratory rate increase after
exercise, and his or her pulse rate returns
to normal faster than a less fit person
• Question:
Are females more cardiovascularly fit than
males?
• Hypothesis:
Your simple tentative answer/statement to
this question (does not require an
explanation)
• Prediction: In the format of “If…., then….”
Ex: If the hypothesis is true, and the step
test is carried out, then females should
demonstrate/have…(whatever specific
result you would anticipate in support of
the hypothesis).
Designing an Experiment
Cardiovascular fitness
Determined by
1. increase in pulse rate (PR) after exercise.
Measure PR before (resting rate) & after
aerobic exercise (exercise rate)
2. Recovery time to resting pulse rate - how
many minutes it takes to return to resting
rate after exercise.