SECTION 3 Instant Replay 1. many possible answers, e.g., observing, because she is looking at something and collecting infor- mation, or taking notes 2. The processes that scientists follow must be somewhat flexible to allow for differing experi- mental conditions. 3. The independent variable is the variable that the scientist manipulates, or changes, in an experiment. The dependent variable is the vari- able that the scientist measures to see how it was affected by the independent variable. 4. A hypothesis is a possible answer for a scientific question. A theory is an explanation that is sup- ported by much evidence, accepted by the sci- ence community, and that explains a wide range of things. 5. written sources, such as scientific journals, sci- ence fairs and symposia, and webpages
Vocabulary Check 1. independent variable 2. constant 3. data
The Big Picture
4. so that you can tell what the effects of the inde- pendent variable are 5. Theories are based on hypotheses that have been supported by much evidence. 6. Scientific information is more reliable if it has been peer reviewed and provides evidence that supports the scientific claim. The information should include such things as experimental results and conclusions, methods, data, and details needed to recreate the investigation.
and Processes Key Concept Science is a way of thinking, questioning, and gathering evidence.
Like all science, biology is a process of inquiry.
Science is a process of inquiry, or investigation. Science is one way we try to understand the world around us. All sciences have certain things in common, but there is no one way of doing science. Observations Science begins with observation, or collecting informa- tion about a topic. Some observations are made directly with our senses. Other observations might involve using tools and technology. Data When observations are recorded, saved, or written down, they are called data. Sights, sounds, and smells are examples of qualitative data. They describe a “quality” of an observation. Mass, volume, and temperature are examples of quantitative data. They can be measured. Hypotheses Scientists use observations and data to form a hypoth- esis. A hypothesis (plural, hypotheses) is a possible answer to a scien- tific question. A hypothesis must be able to be tested.
What part of science do you think the young woman in the picture is involved in? Why? Making observations involves gathering informa- tion about a topic.
Observing Scientists make
observations and study earlier research.
Evaluating results Scientists
Forming hypotheses Scientists evaluate the data and conclusions ask questions and try to explain presented by other scientists. observations.
Analyzing data Scientists Testing hypotheses Scientists
analyze their data to draw collect data that they use to conclusions about their research. support or reject a hypothesis.
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A hypothesis leads to testable predictions of what would happen if the hypothesis is valid. For scientists, just one test of a hypothesis is usually not enough. Most of the time, it is only by repeating tests that scientists can be more certain that their results are not mistaken or due to chance. After scientists collect data, they use statistics to mathematically analyze whether the data supports the hypothesis. Experimental methods and results are then evaluated by other scientists in a process called peer review. Only after this process are the results of the research accepted. Whether the results of an experiment support an existing theory or disagree with earlier research, they are often used as a starting point for new questions.
dose of medicine, or how much medicine a patient gets. Then, the
scientist sees how changes in the independent variable affect the depen- dent variable. The dependent variable is what the scientist measures as the outcome or result of the experiment. In this example, the dependent variable is blood pressure. The change in blood pressure depends on the VOCABULARY amount of medicine given. In common usage, the term constant means The independent variable should be the only part of a controlled “unchanging.” In experi- experiment that changes. All other conditions should not change. The mental research, a con- factors that do not change are called constants. For example, the form of stant is a condition or factor that is controlled medicine would be a constant—it would always be a pill. so that it does not What is the difference between the dependent variable and change.
the independent variable in an experiment?
Interactive Reader 11 A theory explains a wide range of observations. Many words have several different meanings. Depending on how a word is used, its meaning can change completely. For example, the word right could mean correct, or it could refer to a direction. Similarly, the word theory has different meanings. In everyday conversation, the word theory can mean a wild idea, or something that is imagined to be true. In science, the meaning of theory is very different. Recall that a hypothesis is a proposed answer to a scientific question. A theory is a proposed explanation for a wide range of observations and experimental results that is supported by a wide range of evidence. Both gravity and natural selection are scientific theories. Science is an ongoing process. Theories can change based on new evidence. New theories that better explain observations and experimen- tal results can replace older theories. Our understanding of the world around us has changed very much over the past few decades*, and the study of biology has changed and expanded as well. What is the difference between a scientific theory and a hypothesis?
Scientists communicate information in many different ways. Scientific information is communicated in many ways. Scientific infor- mation may be presented at science fairs and symposia. Many written sources include scientific information, such as product advertisements, magazine articles, or webpages. Recall that new scientific research is reviewed by other scientists through the peer review process. Once scientific research is peer- reviewed, it is published in scientific journals. Articles in scientific journals include experimental results and conclusions, methods, data, and details that other scientists would need to recreate the investigation. Not all information that is presented as scientific is reliable. When evalu- ating scientific information, consider the evidence that supports the scien- tific claim and whether or not the source of information might be biased. List three ways that scientists can communicate scientific information?
* Academic Vocabulary decades periods of ten years
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1.3 Vocabulary Check Mark It Up observation independent variable Go back and data dependent variable highlight each sentence that has a vocabulary hypothesis constant word in bold. experiment theory
1. In the list above, circle the word that means “what a scientist changes in an experiment.” 2. Put a box around the word that means “a factor that does not change.” 3. Underline the word that means “a written record of observations.”
