Scientific Method
You have heard about this since elementary school - the basic method every scientist uses to be consistent in their process.
Remember it NOW? Im sure your middle school teachers have taught you this multiple times! :)
Dependent and Independent Variables
So what are these variables and how are they alike or different?
Control Group
So. Now you are an expert in the scientific method. What about when you run the experiment?
How does it run correctly and prove that what you find is correct? You have a control group. This removes any question of bias in the experiment. Can you pick out the control group?
How does it run correctly and prove that what you find is correct? You have a control group. This removes any question of bias in the experiment. Can you pick out the control group?
Types of Data - Qualitative vs. Quantitative
So what is the difference?
Quantitative data is based on mathematical facts. Examples include, measurement, temperature or time. This is not subjective and grounded in mathematical fact- "There were two inches of rainfall." There is a specific answer to a specific question based on numerical data.
Qualitative data is based on feelings or perspective. Examples include,descriptions using your five senses, or describing something as pretty, nice or great.
This tends to be subjective - "The rain yesterday was pretty and smelled good." This type of data is much more subjective and based on personal perspective.
Quantitative data is based on mathematical facts. Examples include, measurement, temperature or time. This is not subjective and grounded in mathematical fact- "There were two inches of rainfall." There is a specific answer to a specific question based on numerical data.
Qualitative data is based on feelings or perspective. Examples include,descriptions using your five senses, or describing something as pretty, nice or great.
This tends to be subjective - "The rain yesterday was pretty and smelled good." This type of data is much more subjective and based on personal perspective.
Bias - What does that mean from a science perspective?
So if you are biased in science what does that mean? - Basically you have an opinion that is interfering with honest, clear, un-opinionated results.
The joke below is about a scientist who is experimenting on frogs jumping…
The scientist yells “JUMP!” at the frog and the frog jumps one meter.
Then he cuts off one of the frog’s legs, yells “JUMP!” and the frog jumps half a meter.
Then he cuts off another of the frog’s legs, yells “JUMP!” and the frog jumps a fifth of a meter.
Then he cuts off a third leg, yells “JUMP!” and the frog does not jump. He yells “JUMP!” again, and the frog does not jump.
“Aha!” he says. “I have my result!” So he carefully writes in his lab book: “When three legs are removed, a frog becomes deaf.”
This is obviously a humorous example of bias in a science experiment. What do you think of his experiment and his results? Is this an example of extreme sampling bias or extreme measurement bias?
The joke below is about a scientist who is experimenting on frogs jumping…
The scientist yells “JUMP!” at the frog and the frog jumps one meter.
Then he cuts off one of the frog’s legs, yells “JUMP!” and the frog jumps half a meter.
Then he cuts off another of the frog’s legs, yells “JUMP!” and the frog jumps a fifth of a meter.
Then he cuts off a third leg, yells “JUMP!” and the frog does not jump. He yells “JUMP!” again, and the frog does not jump.
“Aha!” he says. “I have my result!” So he carefully writes in his lab book: “When three legs are removed, a frog becomes deaf.”
This is obviously a humorous example of bias in a science experiment. What do you think of his experiment and his results? Is this an example of extreme sampling bias or extreme measurement bias?
Placebo
Not related to Gazebo (which is the building pictured below), a placebo is a "blank".
Defined from the dictionary: "An inactive substance or preparation used as a control in an experiment or test to determine the effectiveness of a medicinal drug."
Some people think of them as a sugar pill. It allows for a control group in the experimental group without those people knowing they are the control.
Defined from the dictionary: "An inactive substance or preparation used as a control in an experiment or test to determine the effectiveness of a medicinal drug."
Some people think of them as a sugar pill. It allows for a control group in the experimental group without those people knowing they are the control.
Why is a plant alive but a rock is not? Easy!
The Characteristics of Living Things!
But what are they?
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/6/7/12678883/6207786_orig.png)
So what does it mean to be alive...
1. You must be made of cells
2. You must require and use energy
3. You must grow and develop
4. You must produce waste
5. You must respond and adapt to the environment (Homeostasis *see below)
6. You must reproduce
All of these criteria must be met in order to be considered living. Each of these concepts is covered in biology - everything can be traced back tot these concepts!
People often argue that fire is a living thing because of the way it interacts with its environment. Not true! It does not meet all the criteria.
1. You must be made of cells
2. You must require and use energy
3. You must grow and develop
4. You must produce waste
5. You must respond and adapt to the environment (Homeostasis *see below)
6. You must reproduce
All of these criteria must be met in order to be considered living. Each of these concepts is covered in biology - everything can be traced back tot these concepts!
People often argue that fire is a living thing because of the way it interacts with its environment. Not true! It does not meet all the criteria.
Homeostasis
![Picture](/uploads/1/2/6/7/12678883/1357780411.png)
What the heck IS that!!
Homeostasis is our bodies way of maintaining a stable internal environment. We do it without even really thinking about it!
When your hot what does your body do automatically? Sweat right? It is trying to maintain it's internal temperature.
How about when your cold? You get goosebumps right? Again - your body is trying to keep warm to maintain a constant temperature.
How about if your sick? What does your body do then? A fever. Again - it is all about maintaining a consistent internal system.
Homeostasis is our bodies way of maintaining a stable internal environment. We do it without even really thinking about it!
When your hot what does your body do automatically? Sweat right? It is trying to maintain it's internal temperature.
How about when your cold? You get goosebumps right? Again - your body is trying to keep warm to maintain a constant temperature.
How about if your sick? What does your body do then? A fever. Again - it is all about maintaining a consistent internal system.