1.

3 The Study of
Biology
Unit 1: The Science of Life
Student Objectives
1. Outline the main steps in the scientific method.
2. Summarize how observations are used to form hypotheses.
3. List elements of a controlled experiment.
4. Describe how scientists use data to draw conclusions.
5. Compare a scientific hypothesis and a scientific theory.
6. State how communication in science helps prevent dishonesty and
bias.
Have you ever
wondered anything
about life?
Science is a process
• The Scientific Method is an organized
approach to learn how the natural world works.
•2 principles:
• Events in the natural world have natural
causes.
• Science is uniformity. Fundamental laws of
nature work the same way, everywhere, and
at all times.
Steps of the
Scientific Method
1. Observation and ask a question.
2. Try to answer the question by forming a
hypothesis.
3. A prediction is a statement that forecasts
what would happen during the test if the
hypothesis is supported.
4. An experiment is used to test the prediction
and hypothesis.
5. Analyze data and draw conclusions.
6. Share your findings with scientific peers
and to the public.
 • The scientific question generally begins
1. Observing and
with an unexplained observation about
Asking a Question
nature.
 • Biologists list possible answers to a
scientific question – hypotheses. 
2. Forming a
• Good hypotheses answer a question
Hypothesis and is testable in the natural world.
3. Make a
Prediction
• A prediction is
what is expected
to happen if each
hypothesis were
true.
 • Biologists often test hypotheses by setting up a
controlled experiment.
4. Designing • The control group is a group for the scientist to
compare results with the experimental group.
an Experiment • The experimental group is identical to the control
group except for one variable.
• This one variable changing is the independent
variable.
• The dependent variable is the result of what’s
different between the 2 groups.
Testing the
Experiment
• Some controlled experiments are
conducted ‘blind’. The
experimenter doesn’t know which
group is the experimental or
control group.
• Experiments should be repeated,
and scientist should collect enough
data to find meaningful results.
5. Collecting and
Analyzing Data
• Experiments that measure a variable are
quantitative data (data measured in
numbers).
• After data is collected it needs to be
organized.
• The goal is to determine whether the data
are reliable, and whether is supports or fail
to support the predictions in the hypothesis.
• With statistics scientists can determine the
relationship between the variables involved.
5. Drawing
conclusions
• Scientists draw conclusions to see
whether their hypothesis is
supported by the data.
• An experiment can only disprove a
hypothesis.
• Scientists often apply their findings
to solve practical problems.
 • Scientists work together.
• They work together in teams and share
research results with others.
6.
• Scientists can publish their papers to a
Communicatin scientific journal. Editors will do a peer
g Ideas review.
• Experts in the field read and critique the
research paper.
 Honesty and Bias
• The scientific community depends on
honesty and good science.
Publishing a paper: • Scientists are always trying to
• Introduction disprove their favorite ideas.
• Materials and Methods • Scientists repeat experiments to verify
• Results previous findings.
• Discussion • Scientists try to avoid conflict of
• Peer Review: scientists who are experts in interest, because their reputation is on
the field anonymously read and critique a the line.
research paper.
Construct a
Theory
• https://
www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqk3TKuGNB
A
• A theory is a highly tested, generally
accepted principle that explains a vast
number of observations and experimental
data.
1. Cell theory
2. Theory of evolution by natural selection
3. Inheritance theory
4. Biological classification theory
5. Biogenetics theory
6. Theory of homeostasis
7. Theory of ecosystems
 1. Wt two principles make the scientific
method a unique process?
2. Define the roles of observations and
hypotheses in science.
Review 3. Summarize the parts of a controlled
experiment.
Questions! 4. Summarize how we make conclusions about
the results of an experiment.
5. Why is the phrase 'it's just a theory'
misleading?
6. Give another example of a conflict of
interest.