Chapter 2
WHAT IS SCIENCE?
Both a body of knowledge AND a process
NOT just list of facts
How did we get to those facts in the first place??
Discovery → AHA moments
Archimedes and buoyancy
Pemberton and coca
WHAT IS SCIENCE?
Continually changing
As we get more answers to our questions we can change
our ideas and our technologies
Innocence Project
DISCOVERY
Science is NOT always an eureka moment (actually
rare)
It is a long process
Most discoveries lead to more unanswered questions
“I observed that sunlight caused my sunburn”
Why?
What part of sunlight is causing the damage?
Why did only my arms burn and not where I had clothes
on?
What drives scientists is the possibility of MORE
unanswered questions
SO THEN WHAT IS SCIENCE?
Science is really anything that does the following:
Reliable, replicable, falsifiable
Adheres to a valid scientific method
Can be reliably tested
Is accepted by the overall scientific community
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
Steps of the scientific method
Observation/Question
• The inspiration for the study
Hypothesis
• Remember this is a STATEMENT not a
question
Experiment/methods
• How will we actually test our hypothesis
Steps of the scientific method
Results/discussion
• Analyzing our data
• Figuring out what it means
Conclusion
Future research questions/experiments
Steps of the Scientific Method
Observation and/or question
One of our most powerful tools!
Steps of the Scientific Method
Hypothesis is a specific prediction
Or an educated guess
Hypothesis is NOT:
Use may/can (we need to test; these are not disprovable)
A question (we are predicting)
Good hypothesis:
My car won’t start because the battery is dead
Bad hypothesis:
Why won’t my car start?
Steps of the Scientific Method
Experiment/method
This might look different depending on your question!
Lab experiment
Observational study
Systematic review
This Photo by
Unknown Author
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed
under CC BY-SA
Steps of the Scientific Method
Results/Discussion
Here is where we analyze our data
Can be qualitative or quantitative
This Photo by Unknown Author is
licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
What does it MEAN?
Steps of the Scientific Method
Conclusion
What did we learn?
Was our hypothesis supported? (never proven)
What are some future research questions or
directions?
Terms in the Scientific Method
Control group
Independent
variable
Quantitative
Test/experimental
group
Dependent
variable
Qualitative
Independent
variable
This Photo by
Unknown Author
is licensed under
CC BY-SA
Growth of plants:
dependent variable
Quantitative data
Experimental group
Control group
Putting it together
We want to study the effect of silence vs music on test
scores
What might we first observe?
People seem to concentrate better with music playing
What is a good hypothesis?
Studying while listening to music will improve test
scores by one letter grade
Putting it together
How might we design our experiment?
100 volunteers
50 play music while studying
50 have silence while studying
What is the dependent variable?
Test scores
What is the independent variable?
Noise level while studying
Putting it together
Who are the control group?
The group that does not have the music
Who are the test/experimental group?
The group that has music
Practice
Suppose a marine biologist has observed that whales seem to
make less noise when naval ships are in the area. She
hypothesizes that the noise the ships makes causes the whales to
produce less noise. She uses a recorder to record whales sounds
both in an area where there are a lot of naval ships and an area
where there are no ships. She analyzes her data and concludes
that whales in the area with more naval ships make less sounds
than the whales in the area without naval ships.
What is the hypothesis?
What is the experiment?
What is the independent variable? What about the dependent
variable?
Is there a control group?
Types of scientific studies
NOT ALL scientific studies are conducted in the same
way!
Does not mean one is “better” than the other
Just different design depending on the question
Types of scientific studies:
Experimental
Review and Meta analysis
Gathers data from previous studies and runs statistical
analyses on them
Example: Examine the effects of cannabis on cancer rates
A group of scientists gather and review 150 studies done on
the effects of cannabis use and cancer. The 150 studies have a
combined sample size of 23,000 people. The rate of cancer
among cannabis users is 25% higher than the rate of cancer of
non-cannabis users. The researchers conclude that cannabis is
associated with higher rates of cancer.
Experimental
Random and non random controlled trials
Let’s say you’re in the business of drilling oil wells, and you
have a new drill bit that is operated by an artificial intelligence
program that adjusts the pressure and speed with which you’re
turning the bit.
You want to know how this new, more expensive bit compares
to the bit you’re currently using
you conduct an experiment comparing your existing drill bit
with the new one.
You select 30 wells and drill 15 of them with the old bit and 15
with the new. That’s your experiment, and your variable of
interest might be how efficiently you drilled the well.
Experimental
You “control” for the hardness of the rock by setting
up two rigs 50 feet apart in the same location and
digging dry wells.
That will give you a more reliable result in terms of how
the new and old drill bits perform under similar
circumstances.
You also control by having one group drill with the old
bit, “your baseline”
You also randomly assign either the new bit or the old
bit to dig the hole
Experimental
Randomized controlled trial
Probably more familiar with medical
Testing a new drug
Select individuals for treatment
Double blind, blind
Placebo or current standard medication
Experimental
Non-random controlled trial
Also called quasi-experimental
An experimental study in which the researcher uses
methods that are not random.
Open-label
Might not be able to randomize or control things
In our drill bit example, hard to predict exactly what is
in the ground!
Types of scientific studies:
Observational
Cohort study
Looks at a groups of people and compares them
Studies an effect of interest
Observational because you don’t actually experiment
Example: Sun exposure
A cohort study was designed to assess the impact of sun exposure on
skin damage in beach volleyball players.
During a weekend tournament, players from one team wore waterproof,
SPF 35 sunscreen, while players from the other team did not wear any
sunscreen.
At the end of the volleyball tournament players’ skin from both teams
was analyzed for texture, sun damage, and burns. Comparisons of skin
damage were then made based on the use of sunscreen.
The analysis showed a significant difference between the cohorts in
terms of the skin damage.
Observational
Case reports
Looks at a small number of individual cases
Example: Psychological studies of two inmates
A psychologist was studying female inmates at a correctional
facility
The psychologist interviewed and spent time with 2 inmates
in particular
She then writes up and reports on these inmates
Observational
Case control
A study that compares subjects who have a disease or
outcome of interest (cases) with subjects who do not
have the disease or outcome (controls), and looks back
through time to compare how frequently the exposure
to a risk factor is present in each group to determine
the relationship between the risk factor and the
disease.
Example: Sunscreen and lifeguards
Observational
Scientists feel that zinc oxide, the white non-absorbent
sunscreen traditionally worn by lifeguards is more
effective at preventing sunburns than regular
sunscreens.
compared a group of former lifeguards that had
developed cancer on their cheeks and noses (cases) to
a group of lifeguards without this type of cancer
(controls) and assess their prior exposure to zinc oxide
or regular sunscreen lotions.
Asked former lifeguards which type of sunscreen they
used on their face and approximately how often.
Deductive vs inductive
reasoning
Deduction begins with a look at “the big picture,” then
zooms in on more detailed clues before reaching a
conclusion.
Induction is the opposite, using tiny pieces of evidence
in an attempt to grasp the big picture.
Deductive vs Inductive reasoning
When using sound logic, deduction is foolproof i.e.
the conclusion is solid
Induction, on the other hand is less reliable; a person
using induction could reach an incorrect conclusion.
So let’s associate the word Induction with the word
INdefinite or INconclusive.
Since it begins with relatively small(er) clues, we might
also associate it with the word INsignificant.
Reasoning in Science
Inductive
reasoning
Scientists use
it to form
hypotheses
and theories
Reasoning in Science
Deductive
reasoning
Allows
scientists to
apply the
theories to
specific
situations
Inductive Reasoning
Many fictional
detectives, like Sherlock
Holmes, tended to be
Inductive: they would
identify a suspect, then
gather evidence to prove
who’dunit!
Inductive reasoning
Observation:
This bee stung me. It is a hymenopteran.
This wasp stung me. It is a hymenopteran.
This fire ant stung me. It is a hymenopteran.
And come to a general conclusion:
Therefore, all hymenopterans have stingers.
A general conclusion made from many specific observations may not
always be true.
Unless you test every single hymenopteran species for stinging
capability, you might not discover an exception to your general rule.
In reality, many hymenopterans (stingless bees and ants, male
honeybees, etc.) lack stingers.
Deductive Reasoning
Much like in CSI, and
similar detective/crime
shows (and in real-life
investigation), deductive
reasoning starts out
wide, and narrows
down.
Deductive reasoning
All wasps have stingers. (inductively devised
generalization)
This thing on my hand is a wasp.
Therefore, this thing on my hand can probably sting me.
(specific conclusion)
To test this argument, you must now conduct a (potentially
painful) experiment.
The results of your study may suggest further questions.
What types of hymenopterans lack stingers?
Which is the primitive condition: stinger or no stinger?
Why has stinglessness persisted? Is it adaptive?
Chapter 1
Opinion
What do you think are the major science issues facing
our society today?
Why do you think we have problems understanding
science issues?
Scientific literacy
Prominent politicians and lawmakers, among many other
citizens of Earth, are debating and publicly questioning,
among other topics:
the safety and efficacy of vaccines in preventing disease,
the truth of whether the Earth’s climate is changing and
whether humans are playing a role,
whether adding fluoride to drinking water is safe for humans
to drink and effective at cavity reduction,
whether there was a natural origin to life on Earth or whether
there is evidence of divine intervention,
and whether the Earth is billions of years old or thousands of
years old.
What should YOU know?
Basic concepts about our world but not specialized
knowledge
Drug interactions (medicine)
Your iPad (technology)
Know the RELEVANT science in your everyday life
“Why is it hotter in summer than winter?” (seasons-
Earth Science)
Generally speaking, Americans have not been exposed
to science sufficiently or in a way that communicates
knowledge
WHAT WE’RE UP AGAINST
Its not only educational failures
“Science Deniers”
Rampant in the government
People who revolt publically when science is used to explain
“controversial” topics
Global Warming
Evolution
It is “good science” when it meets their agenda
NO SUCH THING AS “GOOD” SCIENCE
When the scientific method is followed its just SCIENCE
regardless of the results
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Doing something right now!
Accepted the problem and offered a solution
Making science relevant again
Science and Business
Science, Medicine, and Health
Science and the Environment
Science and Communication
Science and Energy
Science and National Security
Science and Politics
Science Services
What are some examples of products created or
harnessed by science (technology) you use or benefit
from everyday?
Hint: think about differences between the dark/middle
ages and now
Science Services
What are some examples of products created or
harnessed by science (technology) you use or benefit
from everyday?
Hint: think about differences between the dark/middle
ages and now
Science Services
What are some examples of products created or
harnessed by science (technology) you use or benefit
from everyday?
Hint: think about differences between the dark/middle
ages and now
Science Services
What are some examples of products created or
harnessed by science (technology) you use or benefit
from everyday?
Hint: think about differences between the dark/middle
ages and now
OBSERVE DIFFERENCES AROUND
THE WORLD
Energy differences
North Korea
Do not have the resources or the technology
South Korea
Has resources and modern technology
ACHIEVEMENTS ARE
INTERCONNECTED
Science does not run solo
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
All interconnected and rely on each other and the
knowledge from each field in order to move forward
and obtain more knowledge
Science and Technology
Science
Science
Technology
Science
Science
Science
Innovation
Science and Technology
DNA
Electricity
X-Rays
Telescopes
Vacuum
CT Scanner
Medicine
Science and Technology
GD
DNA
CRISPR
Cancer
Bacteria
Transplants
Science Services
Aside from technology what else does science provide
us with?
Science Services
Aside from technology what else does science provide
us with?
Knowledge
While science cannot make moral judgments for us, it
can provide us with information on which to make
those judgments
Science Services
Questions science can inform us on
Which fish should I eat?
How much red meat should I eat?
Which cancer treatment is best for me?
What mode of transportation should I take?
How should I study?
Which charity should I donate to/volunteer at?
Which second/third/fourth language should I learn?
SCIENCE HELPS IN MAKING
DECISIONS
Did you know 170 years ago hand washing was not
normal?
Germ theory
What fish do I order for dinner?
Tilapia or Chilean Sea Bass
Should I stop taking my antibiotic?
What car are you going to buy?
Science and Society
Society Pays
For Science
Science Provides
Knowledge and
Technology to Society
Science and Society
Society Pays
For Science
Money can come
from public and
private sources
The source of
money influences
what science occurs
Science Provides
Knowledge and
Technology to Society
Science and Society
Society Pays
For Science
Money can come
from public and
private sources
The source of
money influences
what science occurs
Should public
sources provide
more money to
science?
Science Provides
Knowledge and
Technology to Society
Science and Society
Society Pays
For Science
Money can come
from public and
private sources
The source of
money influences
what science occurs
Should public
sources provide
more money to
science?
Is this a question
science can answer?
Science Provides
Knowledge and
Technology to Society
Science Can and Can’t
Science is a powerful tool to answer questions
Science has limits on what it can answer
Science Can and Can’t
What do you think are the characteristics of a good
scientific question?
Science Can and Can’t
What do you think are the characteristics of a good
scientific question?
Science Can and Can’t
Give an example of a good scientific question?
Does it focus on the natural world?
Is it testable?
Can we generate data to study it?
Can we involve the scientific community in it?
Could it create an observation that inspires a new
scientific question?
Science Can and Can’t
Give an example of a bad scientific question?
Does it focus on the natural world?
Is it testable?
Can we generate data to study it?
Can we involve the scientific community in it?
Could it create an observation that inspires a new
scientific question?
Science Can and Can’t
Can science ask moral/aesthetic/supernatural
questions?
Does it focus on the natural world?
Is it testable?
Can we generate data to study it?
Can we involve the scientific community in it?
Could it create an observation that inspires a new
scientific question?
SCIENCE HAS LIMITS
Does not make moral judgments
Is something the right thing to do?
Science can inform opinions but cannot make them
Does not make aesthetic judgments
Cannot say if something is beautiful
Does not dictate how to use our science knowledge
Idea of the mad scientist
Does not comment on supernatural explanations
Cannot be answered by science
SHAPING SCIENTISTS: EINSTEIN
All scientists are shaped by the society they are shaped
by
Einstein’s work was influenced by his personal
convictions
1933 Hitler came to power
Einstein did not return to Germany became US
citizen in 1940
Told Roosevelt about the potential of Germany to
develop “extremely powerful bombs of a new type”
Did not participate in the Manhattan project
denouncing the use of nuclear fission as a weapon
Science you see every day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rnq1NpHdmw
!
DSL 200 I & IB -2019-4
2019-2020 – Summer UG Day
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Scientific Method Review
Questions
Scientific Method Review
Started: May 11 at 5:58pm
Quiz Instructions
This is an open note quiz on the scientific method. If you took notes on the scientific method
during the associated video (understanding science lectures) you can use them on this quiz. This
quiz has no time limit.
Discussions
Grades
Calendar
Quizzes
Question 1
1 pts
Chat
? Question 1
? Question 2
? Question 3
? Question 4
? Question 5
? Question 6
? Question 7
? Question 8
? Question 9
Time Elapsed: Hide
Attempt due: May 15 at 11:59pm
0 Minutes, 17 Seconds
What does a researcher observe in an experiment?
Inbox
Dependent Variable
Studio
Control Group
Independent Variable
Library
Treatment Group
Policies
Question 2
1 pts
Help
A researcher is studying mental health during the coronavirus quarantine.
She asks subjects to report on their feelings in a journal. Each subject is able
to write as much as they like. One subject writes, “Today I felt sad. I missed
my Crookshanks, who ran away a year ago. I am lonely.” Later the researcher
to put together this data to get an idea of peoples’ emotional state during
quarantine. Using the journal entries is an example of what type of data?
Qualitative Data
Quantitative Data
Control Group
Independent Variable
Question 3
1 pts
What does the researcher change between the control group and the
treatment group?
Independent Variable
Qualitative Data
Qualitative Data
Depedent Variable
Question 4
1 pts
What is another name for the experimental design?
Conclusion
Results
Methods
Hypothesis
Question 5
1 pts
Put the steps of the scientific method in order.
1
[ Choose ]
2
[ Choose ]
3
[ Choose ]
4
[ Choose ]
5
[ Choose ]
Question 6
1 pts
Consider this scenario and answer the questions following it. This will be the
same scenario for the remaining questions.
A horticulturalist works for Monsanto, an agriculture company. The demand
for sunflower seed butter is booming and they want to increase the number
of sunflower seeds each sunflower head can produce. They decide to try
adding zinc to the soil of a sunflower farm to increase the yield. One acre of
land is treated with zinc before planting sunflower seeds in it. Another acre
of land is planted with sunflower seeds as normal. When the sunflowers
are harvested a few months later, researchers count the number of
sunflower seeds in each sunflower head from both fields. The researchers
discovered there was no significant difference in the number of sunflower
seeds per head of sunflower between the field that was treated with zinc and
the normal field.
What was the independent variable in this case study?
The sunflowers
The land
The zinc
The number of seeds
Question 7
1 pts
Consider this scenario and answer the questions following it. This will be the
same scenario for the remaining questions.
A horticulturalist works for Monsanto, an agriculture company. The demand
for sunflower seed butter is booming and they want to increase the number
of sunflower seeds each sunflower head can produce. They decide to try
adding zinc to the soil of a sunflower farm to increase the yield. One acre of
land is treated with zinc before planting sunflower seeds in it. Another acre
of land is planted with sunflower seeds as normal. When the sunflowers
are harvested a few months later, researchers count the number of
sunflower seeds in each sunflower head from both fields. The researchers
discovered there was no significant difference in the number of sunflower
seeds per head of sunflower between the field that was treated with zinc and
the normal field.
What was the dependent variable in this case study?
The plants
The number of sunflower seeds
The land
The zinc
Question 8
1 pts
Consider this scenario and answer the questions following it. This will be the
same scenario for the remaining questions.
A horticulturalist works for Monsanto, an agriculture company. The demand
for sunflower seed butter is booming and they want to increase the number
of sunflower seeds each sunflower head can produce. They decide to try
adding zinc to the soil of a sunflower farm to increase the yield. One acre of
land is treated with zinc before planting sunflower seeds in it. Another acre
of land is planted with sunflower seeds as normal. When the sunflowers
are harvested a few months later, researchers count the number of
sunflower seeds in each sunflower head from both fields. The researchers
discovered there was no significant difference in the number of sunflower
seeds per head of sunflower between the field that was treated with zinc and
the normal field.
What was the control group in this case study?
The zinc
The plants that got the zinc
The plants in the normal field
The treatment group
Question 9
1 pts
Consider this scenario and answer the questions following it. This will be the
same scenario for the remaining questions.
A horticulturalist works for Monsanto, an agriculture company. The demand
for sunflower seed butter is booming and they want to increase the number
of sunflower seeds each sunflower head can produce. They decide to try
adding zinc to the soil of a sunflower farm to increase the yield. One acre of
land is treated with zinc before planting sunflower seeds in it. Another acre
of land is planted with sunflower seeds as normal. When the sunflowers
are harvested a few months later, researchers count the number of
sunflower seeds in each sunflower head from both fields. The researchers
discovered there was no significant difference in the number of sunflower
seeds per head of sunflower between the field that was treated with zinc and
the normal field.
What was the treatment group in this case study?
The land
The zinc
The plants in the normal field
The plants that received the zinc
Question 10
1 pts
Consider this scenario and answer the questions following it. This will be the
same scenario for the remaining questions.
A horticulturalist works for Monsanto, an agriculture company. The demand
for sunflower seed butter is booming and they want to increase the number
of sunflower seeds each sunflower head can produce. They decide to try
adding zinc to the soil of a sunflower farm to increase the yield. One acre of
land is treated with zinc before planting sunflower seeds in it. Another acre
of land is planted with sunflower seeds as normal. When the sunflowers
are harvested a few months later, researchers count the number of
sunflower seeds in each sunflower head from both fields. The researchers
discovered there was no significant difference in the number of sunflower
seeds per head of sunflower between the field that was treated with zinc and
the normal field.
What type of data was collected?
Control Group
Control Variable
Quantitative
Qualitative
Question 11
1 pts
Consider this scenario and answer the questions following it. This will be the
same scenario for the remaining questions.
A horticulturalist works for Monsanto, an agriculture company. The demand
for sunflower seed butter is booming and they want to increase the number
of sunflower seeds each sunflower head can produce. They decide to try
adding zinc to the soil of a sunflower farm to increase the yield. One acre of
land is treated with zinc before planting sunflower seeds in it. Another acre
of land is planted with sunflower seeds as normal. When the sunflowers
are harvested a few months later, researchers count the number of
sunflower seeds in each sunflower head from both fields. The researchers
discovered there was no significant difference in the number of sunflower
seeds per head of sunflower between the field that was treated with zinc and
the normal field.
Is it possible for the results of the dependent variable to cary across the
members of the control group.
No
Yes
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Put the steps of the scientific method in order.
Courses
1
[Choose ]
Draw conclusion
Form hypothesis
Be inspired
Observe results
Conduct experiment
Groups
2
Calendar
3
[Choose]
Inbox
4
ܠܛ
[Choose]
Studio
5
3
[Choose]
Library
>
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WHAT IS SCIENCE?
Both a body of knowledge AND a process
NOT just list of facts
How did we get to those facts in the first place??
Discovery → AHA moments
Archimedes and buoyancy
Pemberton and coca
WHAT IS SCIENCE?
Continually changing
As we get more answers to our questions we can change
our ideas and our technologies
Innocence Project
DISCOVERY
Science is NOT always an eureka moment (actually
rare)
It is a long process
Most discoveries lead to more unanswered questions
“I observed that sunlight caused my sunburn”
Why?
What part of sunlight is causing the damage?
Why did only my arms burn and not where I had clothes
on?
What drives scientists is the possibility of MORE
unanswered questions
SO THEN WHAT IS SCIENCE?
Science is really anything that does the following:
Reliable, replicable, falsifiable
Adheres to a valid scientific method
Can be reliably tested
Is accepted by the overall scientific community
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY
Steps of the scientific method
Observation/Question
• The inspiration for the study
Hypothesis
• Remember this is a STATEMENT not a
question
Experiment/methods
• How will we actually test our hypothesis
Steps of the scientific method
Results/discussion
• Analyzing our data
• Figuring out what it means
Conclusion
Future research questions/experiments
Steps of the Scientific Method
Observation and/or question
One of our most powerful tools!
Steps of the Scientific Method
Hypothesis is a specific prediction
Or an educated guess
Hypothesis is NOT:
Use may/can (we need to test; these are not disprovable)
A question (we are predicting)
Good hypothesis:
My car won’t start because the battery is dead
Bad hypothesis:
Why won’t my car start?
Steps of the Scientific Method
Experiment/method
This might look different depending on your question!
Lab experiment
Observational study
Systematic review
This Photo by
Unknown Author
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed
under CC BY-SA
Steps of the Scientific Method
Results/Discussion
Here is where we analyze our data
Can be qualitative or quantitative
This Photo by Unknown Author is
licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
What does it MEAN?
Steps of the Scientific Method
Conclusion
What did we learn?
Was our hypothesis supported? (never proven)
What are some future research questions or
directions?
Terms in the Scientific Method
Control group
Independent
variable
Quantitative
Test/experimental
group
Dependent
variable
Qualitative
Independent
variable
This Photo by
Unknown Author
is licensed under
CC BY-SA
Growth of plants:
dependent variable
Quantitative data
Experimental group
Control group
Putting it together
We want to study the effect of silence vs music on test
scores
What might we first observe?
People seem to concentrate better with music playing
What is a good hypothesis?
Studying while listening to music will improve test
scores by one letter grade
Putting it together
How might we design our experiment?
100 volunteers
50 play music while studying
50 have silence while studying
What is the dependent variable?
Test scores
What is the independent variable?
Noise level while studying
Putting it together
Who are the control group?
The group that does not have the music
Who are the test/experimental group?
The group that has music
Practice
Suppose a marine biologist has observed that whales seem to
make less noise when naval ships are in the area. She
hypothesizes that the noise the ships makes causes the whales to
produce less noise. She uses a recorder to record whales sounds
both in an area where there are a lot of naval ships and an area
where there are no ships. She analyzes her data and concludes
that whales in the area with more naval ships make less sounds
than the whales in the area without naval ships.
What is the hypothesis?
What is the experiment?
What is the independent variable? What about the dependent
variable?
Is there a control group?
Types of scientific studies
NOT ALL scientific studies are conducted in the same
way!
Does not mean one is “better” than the other
Just different design depending on the question
Types of scientific studies:
Experimental
Review and Meta analysis
Gathers data from previous studies and runs statistical
analyses on them
Example: Examine the effects of cannabis on cancer rates
A group of scientists gather and review 150 studies done on
the effects of cannabis use and cancer. The 150 studies have a
combined sample size of 23,000 people. The rate of cancer
among cannabis users is 25% higher than the rate of cancer of
non-cannabis users. The researchers conclude that cannabis is
associated with higher rates of cancer.
Experimental
Random and non random controlled trials
Let’s say you’re in the business of drilling oil wells, and you
have a new drill bit that is operated by an artificial intelligence
program that adjusts the pressure and speed with which you’re
turning the bit.
You want to know how this new, more expensive bit compares
to the bit you’re currently using
you conduct an experiment comparing your existing drill bit
with the new one.
You select 30 wells and drill 15 of them with the old bit and 15
with the new. That’s your experiment, and your variable of
interest might be how efficiently you drilled the well.
Experimental
You “control” for the hardness of the rock by setting
up two rigs 50 feet apart in the same location and
digging dry wells.
That will give you a more reliable result in terms of how
the new and old drill bits perform under similar
circumstances.
You also control by having one group drill with the old
bit, “your baseline”
You also randomly assign either the new bit or the old
bit to dig the hole
Experimental
Randomized controlled trial
Probably more familiar with medical
Testing a new drug
Select individuals for treatment
Double blind, blind
Placebo or current standard medication
Experimental
Non-random controlled trial
Also called quasi-experimental
An experimental study in which the researcher uses
methods that are not random.
Open-label
Might not be able to randomize or control things
In our drill bit example, hard to predict exactly what is
in the ground!
Types of scientific studies:
Observational
Cohort study
Looks at a groups of people and compares them
Studies an effect of interest
Observational because you don’t actually experiment
Example: Sun exposure
A cohort study was designed to assess the impact of sun exposure on
skin damage in beach volleyball players.
During a weekend tournament, players from one team wore waterproof,
SPF 35 sunscreen, while players from the other team did not wear any
sunscreen.
At the end of the volleyball tournament players’ skin from both teams
was analyzed for texture, sun damage, and burns. Comparisons of skin
damage were then made based on the use of sunscreen.
The analysis showed a significant difference between the cohorts in
terms of the skin damage.
Observational
Case reports
Looks at a small number of individual cases
Example: Psychological studies of two inmates
A psychologist was studying female inmates at a correctional
facility
The psychologist interviewed and spent time with 2 inmates
in particular
She then writes up and reports on these inmates
Observational
Case control
A study that compares subjects who have a disease or
outcome of interest (cases) with subjects who do not
have the disease or outcome (controls), and looks back
through time to compare how frequently the exposure
to a risk factor is present in each group to determine
the relationship between the risk factor and the
disease.
Example: Sunscreen and lifeguards
Observational
Scientists feel that zinc oxide, the white non-absorbent
sunscreen traditionally worn by lifeguards is more
effective at preventing sunburns than regular
sunscreens.
compared a group of former lifeguards that had
developed cancer on their cheeks and noses (cases) to
a group of lifeguards without this type of cancer
(controls) and assess their prior exposure to zinc oxide
or regular sunscreen lotions.
Asked former lifeguards which type of sunscreen they
used on their face and approximately how often.
Deductive vs inductive
reasoning
Deduction begins with a look at “the big picture,” then
zooms in on more detailed clues before reaching a
conclusion.
Induction is the opposite, using tiny pieces of evidence
in an attempt to grasp the big picture.
Deductive vs Inductive reasoning
When using sound logic, deduction is foolproof i.e.
the conclusion is solid
Induction, on the other hand is less reliable; a person
using induction could reach an incorrect conclusion.
So let’s associate the word Induction with the word
INdefinite or INconclusive.
Since it begins with relatively small(er) clues, we might
also associate it with the word INsignificant.
Reasoning in Science
Inductive
reasoning
Scientists use
it to form
hypotheses
and theories
Reasoning in Science
Deductive
reasoning
Allows
scientists to
apply the
theories to
specific
situations
Inductive Reasoning
Many fictional
detectives, like Sherlock
Holmes, tended to be
Inductive: they would
identify a suspect, then
gather evidence to prove
who’dunit!
Inductive reasoning
Observation:
This bee stung me. It is a hymenopteran.
This wasp stung me. It is a hymenopteran.
This fire ant stung me. It is a hymenopteran.
And come to a general conclusion:
Therefore, all hymenopterans have stingers.
A general conclusion made from many specific observations may not
always be true.
Unless you test every single hymenopteran species for stinging
capability, you might not discover an exception to your general rule.
In reality, many hymenopterans (stingless bees and ants, male
honeybees, etc.) lack stingers.
Deductive Reasoning
Much like in CSI, and
similar detective/crime
shows (and in real-life
investigation), deductive
reasoning starts out
wide, and narrows
down.
Deductive reasoning
All wasps have stingers. (inductively devised
generalization)
This thing on my hand is a wasp.
Therefore, this thing on my hand can probably sting me.
(specific conclusion)
To test this argument, you must now conduct a (potentially
painful) experiment.
The results of your study may suggest further questions.
What types of hymenopterans lack stingers?
Which is the primitive condition: stinger or no stinger?
Why has stinglessness persisted? Is it adaptive?
Chapter 1
Opinion
What do you think are the major science issues facing
our society today?
Why do you think we have problems understanding
science issues?
Scientific literacy
Prominent politicians and lawmakers, among many other
citizens of Earth, are debating and publicly questioning,
among other topics:
the safety and efficacy of vaccines in preventing disease,
the truth of whether the Earth’s climate is changing and
whether humans are playing a role,
whether adding fluoride to drinking water is safe for humans
to drink and effective at cavity reduction,
whether there was a natural origin to life on Earth or whether
there is evidence of divine intervention,
and whether the Earth is billions of years old or thousands of
years old.
What should YOU know?
Basic concepts about our world but not specialized
knowledge
Drug interactions (medicine)
Your iPad (technology)
Know the RELEVANT science in your everyday life
“Why is it hotter in summer than winter?” (seasons-
Earth Science)
Generally speaking, Americans have not been exposed
to science sufficiently or in a way that communicates
knowledge
WHAT WE’RE UP AGAINST
Its not only educational failures
“Science Deniers”
Rampant in the government
People who revolt publically when science is used to explain
“controversial” topics
Global Warming
Evolution
It is “good science” when it meets their agenda
NO SUCH THING AS “GOOD” SCIENCE
When the scientific method is followed its just SCIENCE
regardless of the results
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Doing something right now!
Accepted the problem and offered a solution
Making science relevant again
Science and Business
Science, Medicine, and Health
Science and the Environment
Science and Communication
Science and Energy
Science and National Security
Science and Politics
Science Services
What are some examples of products created or
harnessed by science (technology) you use or benefit
from everyday?
Hint: think about differences between the dark/middle
ages and now
Science Services
What are some examples of products created or
harnessed by science (technology) you use or benefit
from everyday?
Hint: think about differences between the dark/middle
ages and now
Science Services
What are some examples of products created or
harnessed by science (technology) you use or benefit
from everyday?
Hint: think about differences between the dark/middle
ages and now
Science Services
What are some examples of products created or
harnessed by science (technology) you use or benefit
from everyday?
Hint: think about differences between the dark/middle
ages and now
OBSERVE DIFFERENCES AROUND
THE WORLD
Energy differences
North Korea
Do not have the resources or the technology
South Korea
Has resources and modern technology
ACHIEVEMENTS ARE
INTERCONNECTED
Science does not run solo
Physics
Chemistry
Biology
All interconnected and rely on each other and the
knowledge from each field in order to move forward
and obtain more knowledge
Science and Technology
Science
Science
Technology
Science
Science
Science
Innovation
Science and Technology
DNA
Electricity
X-Rays
Telescopes
Vacuum
CT Scanner
Medicine
Science and Technology
GD
DNA
CRISPR
Cancer
Bacteria
Transplants
Science Services
Aside from technology what else does science provide
us with?
Science Services
Aside from technology what else does science provide
us with?
Knowledge
While science cannot make moral judgments for us, it
can provide us with information on which to make
those judgments
Science Services
Questions science can inform us on
Which fish should I eat?
How much red meat should I eat?
Which cancer treatment is best for me?
What mode of transportation should I take?
How should I study?
Which charity should I donate to/volunteer at?
Which second/third/fourth language should I learn?
SCIENCE HELPS IN MAKING
DECISIONS
Did you know 170 years ago hand washing was not
normal?
Germ theory
What fish do I order for dinner?
Tilapia or Chilean Sea Bass
Should I stop taking my antibiotic?
What car are you going to buy?
Science and Society
Society Pays
For Science
Science Provides
Knowledge and
Technology to Society
Science and Society
Society Pays
For Science
Money can come
from public and
private sources
The source of
money influences
what science occurs
Science Provides
Knowledge and
Technology to Society
Science and Society
Society Pays
For Science
Money can come
from public and
private sources
The source of
money influences
what science occurs
Should public
sources provide
more money to
science?
Science Provides
Knowledge and
Technology to Society
Science and Society
Society Pays
For Science
Money can come
from public and
private sources
The source of
money influences
what science occurs
Should public
sources provide
more money to
science?
Is this a question
science can answer?
Science Provides
Knowledge and
Technology to Society
Science Can and Can’t
Science is a powerful tool to answer questions
Science has limits on what it can answer
Science Can and Can’t
What do you think are the characteristics of a good
scientific question?
Science Can and Can’t
What do you think are the characteristics of a good
scientific question?
Science Can and Can’t
Give an example of a good scientific question?
Does it focus on the natural world?
Is it testable?
Can we generate data to study it?
Can we involve the scientific community in it?
Could it create an observation that inspires a new
scientific question?
Science Can and Can’t
Give an example of a bad scientific question?
Does it focus on the natural world?
Is it testable?
Can we generate data to study it?
Can we involve the scientific community in it?
Could it create an observation that inspires a new
scientific question?
Science Can and Can’t
Can science ask moral/aesthetic/supernatural
questions?
Does it focus on the natural world?
Is it testable?
Can we generate data to study it?
Can we involve the scientific community in it?
Could it create an observation that inspires a new
scientific question?
SCIENCE HAS LIMITS
Does not make moral judgments
Is something the right thing to do?
Science can inform opinions but cannot make them
Does not make aesthetic judgments
Cannot say if something is beautiful
Does not dictate how to use our science knowledge
Idea of the mad scientist
Does not comment on supernatural explanations
Cannot be answered by science
SHAPING SCIENTISTS: EINSTEIN
All scientists are shaped by the society they are shaped
by
Einstein’s work was influenced by his personal
convictions
1933 Hitler came to power
Einstein did not return to Germany became US
citizen in 1940
Told Roosevelt about the potential of Germany to
develop “extremely powerful bombs of a new type”
Did not participate in the Manhattan project
denouncing the use of nuclear fission as a weapon
Science you see every day
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Rnq1NpHdmw
!
DSL 200 I & IB -2019-4
2019-2020 – Summer UG Day
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Scientific Method Review
Questions
Scientific Method Review
Started: May 11 at 5:58pm
Quiz Instructions
This is an open note quiz on the scientific method. If you took notes on the scientific method
during the associated video (understanding science lectures) you can use them on this quiz. This
quiz has no time limit.
Discussions
Grades
Calendar
Quizzes
Question 1
1 pts
Chat
? Question 1
? Question 2
? Question 3
? Question 4
? Question 5
? Question 6
? Question 7
? Question 8
? Question 9
Time Elapsed: Hide
Attempt due: May 15 at 11:59pm
0 Minutes, 17 Seconds
What does a researcher observe in an experiment?
Inbox
Dependent Variable
Studio
Control Group
Independent Variable
Library
Treatment Group
Policies
Question 2
1 pts
Help
A researcher is studying mental health during the coronavirus quarantine.
She asks subjects to report on their feelings in a journal. Each subject is able
to write as much as they like. One subject writes, “Today I felt sad. I missed
my Crookshanks, who ran away a year ago. I am lonely.” Later the researcher
to put together this data to get an idea of peoples’ emotional state during
quarantine. Using the journal entries is an example of what type of data?
Qualitative Data
Quantitative Data
Control Group
Independent Variable
Question 3
1 pts
What does the researcher change between the control group and the
treatment group?
Independent Variable
Qualitative Data
Qualitative Data
Depedent Variable
Question 4
1 pts
What is another name for the experimental design?
Conclusion
Results
Methods
Hypothesis
Question 5
1 pts
Put the steps of the scientific method in order.
1
[ Choose ]
2
[ Choose ]
3
[ Choose ]
4
[ Choose ]
5
[ Choose ]
Question 6
1 pts
Consider this scenario and answer the questions following it. This will be the
same scenario for the remaining questions.
A horticulturalist works for Monsanto, an agriculture company. The demand
for sunflower seed butter is booming and they want to increase the number
of sunflower seeds each sunflower head can produce. They decide to try
adding zinc to the soil of a sunflower farm to increase the yield. One acre of
land is treated with zinc before planting sunflower seeds in it. Another acre
of land is planted with sunflower seeds as normal. When the sunflowers
are harvested a few months later, researchers count the number of
sunflower seeds in each sunflower head from both fields. The researchers
discovered there was no significant difference in the number of sunflower
seeds per head of sunflower between the field that was treated with zinc and
the normal field.
What was the independent variable in this case study?
The sunflowers
The land
The zinc
The number of seeds
Question 7
1 pts
Consider this scenario and answer the questions following it. This will be the
same scenario for the remaining questions.
A horticulturalist works for Monsanto, an agriculture company. The demand
for sunflower seed butter is booming and they want to increase the number
of sunflower seeds each sunflower head can produce. They decide to try
adding zinc to the soil of a sunflower farm to increase the yield. One acre of
land is treated with zinc before planting sunflower seeds in it. Another acre
of land is planted with sunflower seeds as normal. When the sunflowers
are harvested a few months later, researchers count the number of
sunflower seeds in each sunflower head from both fields. The researchers
discovered there was no significant difference in the number of sunflower
seeds per head of sunflower between the field that was treated with zinc and
the normal field.
What was the dependent variable in this case study?
The plants
The number of sunflower seeds
The land
The zinc
Question 8
1 pts
Consider this scenario and answer the questions following it. This will be the
same scenario for the remaining questions.
A horticulturalist works for Monsanto, an agriculture company. The demand
for sunflower seed butter is booming and they want to increase the number
of sunflower seeds each sunflower head can produce. They decide to try
adding zinc to the soil of a sunflower farm to increase the yield. One acre of
land is treated with zinc before planting sunflower seeds in it. Another acre
of land is planted with sunflower seeds as normal. When the sunflowers
are harvested a few months later, researchers count the number of
sunflower seeds in each sunflower head from both fields. The researchers
discovered there was no significant difference in the number of sunflower
seeds per head of sunflower between the field that was treated with zinc and
the normal field.
What was the control group in this case study?
The zinc
The plants that got the zinc
The plants in the normal field
The treatment group
Question 9
1 pts
Consider this scenario and answer the questions following it. This will be the
same scenario for the remaining questions.
A horticulturalist works for Monsanto, an agriculture company. The demand
for sunflower seed butter is booming and they want to increase the number
of sunflower seeds each sunflower head can produce. They decide to try
adding zinc to the soil of a sunflower farm to increase the yield. One acre of
land is treated with zinc before planting sunflower seeds in it. Another acre
of land is planted with sunflower seeds as normal. When the sunflowers
are harvested a few months later, researchers count the number of
sunflower seeds in each sunflower head from both fields. The researchers
discovered there was no significant difference in the number of sunflower
seeds per head of sunflower between the field that was treated with zinc and
the normal field.
What was the treatment group in this case study?
The land
The zinc
The plants in the normal field
The plants that received the zinc
Question 10
1 pts
Consider this scenario and answer the questions following it. This will be the
same scenario for the remaining questions.
A horticulturalist works for Monsanto, an agriculture company. The demand
for sunflower seed butter is booming and they want to increase the number
of sunflower seeds each sunflower head can produce. They decide to try
adding zinc to the soil of a sunflower farm to increase the yield. One acre of
land is treated with zinc before planting sunflower seeds in it. Another acre
of land is planted with sunflower seeds as normal. When the sunflowers
are harvested a few months later, researchers count the number of
sunflower seeds in each sunflower head from both fields. The researchers
discovered there was no significant difference in the number of sunflower
seeds per head of sunflower between the field that was treated with zinc and
the normal field.
What type of data was collected?
Control Group
Control Variable
Quantitative
Qualitative
Question 11
1 pts
Consider this scenario and answer the questions following it. This will be the
same scenario for the remaining questions.
A horticulturalist works for Monsanto, an agriculture company. The demand
for sunflower seed butter is booming and they want to increase the number
of sunflower seeds each sunflower head can produce. They decide to try
adding zinc to the soil of a sunflower farm to increase the yield. One acre of
land is treated with zinc before planting sunflower seeds in it. Another acre
of land is planted with sunflower seeds as normal. When the sunflowers
are harvested a few months later, researchers count the number of
sunflower seeds in each sunflower head from both fields. The researchers
discovered there was no significant difference in the number of sunflower
seeds per head of sunflower between the field that was treated with zinc and
the normal field.
Is it possible for the results of the dependent variable to cary across the
members of the control group.
No
Yes
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Question 5
1 pts
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Put the steps of the scientific method in order.
Courses
1
[Choose ]
Draw conclusion
Form hypothesis
Be inspired
Observe results
Conduct experiment
Groups
2
Calendar
3
[Choose]
Inbox
4
ܠܛ
[Choose]
Studio
5
3
[Choose]
Library
>
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