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The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method. 2/18/1996. …lots and lots and lots of math. Goal. What is the scientific method? What does the scientific method assume? Does the scientific method work? What is not a scientific argument?. What is science?. Science is a tool.

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The Scientific Method

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  1. The Scientific Method 2/18/1996 …lots and lots and lots of math.

  2. Goal • What is the scientific method? • What does the scientific method assume? • Does the scientific method work? • What is not a scientific argument?

  3. What is science? • Science is a tool. • Person: “I have high cholesterol, what should I do?” • Take cholesterol lowering medication. • Consult your astrologer. • Pray to the god Baal and sacrifice a goat.

  4. model test The Scientific Method • Observe an event. • Develop a model (or hypothesis) which makes a prediction. • Test the prediction. • Observe the result. • Revise the hypothesis. • Repeat as needed. • A successful hypothesis becomes a ScientificTheory.

  5. Medical Field

  6. Everyday Life

  7. Everyday Food

  8. Food Science • Throwing something together  Hypothesis • Your grandmother’s time-tested recipe  Scientific Theory.

  9. Repeatability • A successful theory is repeatable. • By you. • By anyone.

  10. Does it work? • Scientific Method is a tool. • Does this tool work? • Life expectancy • Mortality rates • Are there better tools?

  11. Theories • So: a theory is a highly successful hypothesis. • All hypotheses make predictions. • All theories make predictions. • All theories can be tested. • Result: Any scientific theory is subject to change as our ability to make tests, or make observations of a test’s results, improves with time.

  12. Non-scientific Theories • Make no predictions • Un-testable • Can’t be proven

  13. Non-scientific Theories • Car won’t work?  Aliens drained the battery. • Spaghetti is bland?  You were meant to eat bland food. • Car won’t work?  Gods must be angry. • Spaghetti is bland?  At the instant of tasting, tongue is transported to alternate dimension where all flavors are rendered nullified. Happens instantaneously.

  14. Assignment • Create a comic strip which shows a cartoon character using the steps of scientific research in some everyday activity. • Complete the Critical Thinking Skills Sheet for Chapter 2 dealing with whether or not a hypothesis is workable

  15. Project • Applying the Scientific Method • You will form your own hypothesis about a school related issue. • You will then create a survey which you can use to test your hypothesis. • I will make copies for you so other students can take your survey if needed. • You will then analyze the results and form a conclusion. • This process may take a few days to complete. • This will become a homework assignment if time runs out.

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