chapter 01

Biolo1100 Chapter 1 Scientific Thinking

Scientific investigations involve using observations to formulate hypotheses , in a series of steps called the scientific method.
- Scientific method
  1. Make observations that generate questions about the world.
  2. Form potential explanations - hypotheses.
  3. Devise testable and falsifiable predictions based on the hypotheses.
  4. Conduct critical experiments, with good control of variables, to test hypotheses and their predictions.
  5. Draw conclusions and make revisions.
  Good hypotheses lead to new observations and hypotheses; science progresses in a spiral of knowledge.
- Make observations
  If you observe that some individuals take echinacea when they suffer from a common cold.
  They claim the plant extract helps reduce the symptoms of the cold.
  A logical question from this observation is whether one causes the other.
- Form potential explanations - hypotheses
  A useful hypothesis should
  - establish mutually exclusive alternative explanations.
  - generate testable and falsifiable predictions.
  It may be easier to disprove (falsify) predictions based on a negative statement (null hypothesis):
  Echinacea has no effect on the symptoms of the common cold.
- Devise predictions
  Use "if ... then" logic to produce testable and falsifiable predictions based on the hypotheses.
- Conduct a critical experiment to test a prediction.
  Hypothesis: Echinacea reduces cold symptoms.
  Experiment: subjects are divided into evenly distributed groups given different treatments:
  - One group (experimental group) receives the echinacea treatment.
  - Other groups (control groups) receive either no treatment or take a placebo: a tablet that does not contain echinacea.
- An experiment should control its variables (conditions that are subject to change): only one variable should be changed at a time.
  In this experiment the variable is receiving echinacea or not.
  Note that sometimes patients will respond favorably to the placebo; this "placebo effect" may have explanations other than the treatment.
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- Draw conclusions, make revisions
  Note that positive experimental results usually only support the hypothesis.
  It is difficult to prove a hypothesis with only a few tests; it is much easier to falsify a hypothesis.
  Reject or modify hypothesis if necessary.
Hypotheses that hold up to testing over time may be combined into statements called theories .
- Theory formation
  A hypothesis that holds up to repeated testing over time and is accepted by the scientific community becomes a theory that can explain many observations.
  Note that a hypothesis can be easily falsified (disproved), but is difficult to prove with absolute certainty.
Statistics may help to avoid associating correlation with causation .
- Drawing conclusions based on limited (anecdotal) evidence is risky.
  Larger sample sizes will generally help us draw more accurate conclusions with the use of statistics.
  Statistics can help to identify relationships between variables; graphs can show these relationships visually.
  Be careful not to associate correlation with causation.
- A positive correlation exists when one variable increases, so does the other.
  In this case one variable is access to textbooks and the other is exam scores.
  However, correlation may not imply causation, especially if there are inherent biases in the samples.
  - What are some possible sample biases in this hypothetical study?
    - sample size too small
    - income levels
Biology is the study of living things, which share six basic properties.
- Basic properties of life
  - A complex, ordered organization consisting of one or more cells
  - Use and transformation of energy
  - Sensitivity and responsiveness to the environment
  - Regulation and homeostasis
  - Growth, development, and reproduction
  - Evolution: species change over time