Scientists make observations to use for data in an experiment. It's not simply seeing, but also formulating ideas and paying attention to detail. The most vital questions are:
* Ask the who, what, where, when, and why - Who are the subjects participating in the study? What do they look like? What are they doing? How are they interacting with each other if at all? What's the environment like? Is the environment affecting their behavior?
Observations must also be able to answer the questions you ask. When tests need to be reproduced, observations need to be compared among different observers. Measurements involve comparing and recording different observations at different times by different people according to a standard shared by all participants. Counting how many standard units are comparable to the object. Measurement reduces observations to a lower recordable number. Two observations resulting in the same number are equal according to measurement.
There are two types of observations
1. Quantitative data - Observations requiring measurement of numbers.
2. Qualitative data - Descriptions of the observations you make.
There are several ways to record observations:
1. Data Tables
2. Lab illustrations
3. Description of a story
4. Digital camera
5. Notebooks
6. Spreadsheets
These are only a few ways of recording observations. There are various tools scientists use to do so.
Observations are essential in scientific hypotheses, experiments, and theories. They are the core components of the scientific method.
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Tuesday, March 10, 2015
Scientific hypothesis
We all may be very familiar with a scientific hypothesis. Some may even think of it as a guess but a scientific hypothesis has a more precise definition. A scientific hypothesis is an explanation about natural phenomenon in the world. There are several distinct features within a hypothesis:
1. It must be falsifiable - Scientific tests must be done in order to prove it's validity. A hypothesis can be tested but if it's not falsifiable, it's not scientific. Take the hypothesis "There are U.F.O's with aliens among us." We can capture them and use tools to study them, proving them to exist. This can only be proven right but it cannot be proven wrong as the possibility that there are U.F.O's still stands.
2. It must be testable - Scientific hypothesis follow an "if-then" statement with the idea being able to be proven right or wrong depending on the evidence or observation.
3. It must lead to more knowledge - A hypothesis must be able to explain further phenomenon in the future.
Coming up with a scientific hypothesis is like coming up with a poem. It requires a wild imagination and creativity. As Einstein once said: "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Take a moment and write down a list of questions, observations, and comments you have about the natural world. Be wild and free with your ideas so that you can test them later on. Scientists base their hypotheses on what is already scientifically known. Simple hypotheses are preferred among the scientific community.
Hypotheses are either accepted or rejected based on evidence. But because hypotheses can be wrong, they can still be rejected later when new evidence arrives. In some cases, scientists simply reform the hypothesis according to new information. Here, hypotheses are not wrong, simply incomplete without the latest information.
Now what if two different hypotheses are supported? Scientists generally pick the simpler one.
Scientific hypotheses are an essential part of the scientific method. Scientific hypotheses help us better understand the world through models that we build. Those that are supported further our knowledge and those that aren't still give us insight into what is uncertain or wrong.
1. It must be falsifiable - Scientific tests must be done in order to prove it's validity. A hypothesis can be tested but if it's not falsifiable, it's not scientific. Take the hypothesis "There are U.F.O's with aliens among us." We can capture them and use tools to study them, proving them to exist. This can only be proven right but it cannot be proven wrong as the possibility that there are U.F.O's still stands.
2. It must be testable - Scientific hypothesis follow an "if-then" statement with the idea being able to be proven right or wrong depending on the evidence or observation.
3. It must lead to more knowledge - A hypothesis must be able to explain further phenomenon in the future.
Coming up with a scientific hypothesis is like coming up with a poem. It requires a wild imagination and creativity. As Einstein once said: "Imagination is more important than knowledge." Take a moment and write down a list of questions, observations, and comments you have about the natural world. Be wild and free with your ideas so that you can test them later on. Scientists base their hypotheses on what is already scientifically known. Simple hypotheses are preferred among the scientific community.
Hypotheses are either accepted or rejected based on evidence. But because hypotheses can be wrong, they can still be rejected later when new evidence arrives. In some cases, scientists simply reform the hypothesis according to new information. Here, hypotheses are not wrong, simply incomplete without the latest information.
Now what if two different hypotheses are supported? Scientists generally pick the simpler one.
Scientific hypotheses are an essential part of the scientific method. Scientific hypotheses help us better understand the world through models that we build. Those that are supported further our knowledge and those that aren't still give us insight into what is uncertain or wrong.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
Basic assumptions of science
Just as there are assumptions in philosophy, there are also assumptions in science although these are different. Scientific assumptions are used when performing experiments. They are as follows:
1. There are natural causes to the world - If we observe for example a mutation in an animal, there must be an explanation for why that is so.
2. Evidence helps us learn about causes - We can do experiments and create models helping us to understand the world such as testing the effects of a certain drug in the human body and what causes them.
3. Causes are predictable - The same causes can occur repeatedly in many situations. For example, observations of gravity in one setting can also be applied to another.
4. Nature has order - There is structure to the universe around us. Nature has a pattern repeating itself. For example, Darwin noticed variations between finches and theorized that there was an underlying cause for why this was so. The theory of Evolution is widely applied to explain many sorts of natural phenomenon because of it's order in biological life.
5. We can know about Nature - We can use our senses to make conclusions about how nature works.
6. Nothing is obviously true - Meaning that we should not believe something because it's just common sense. If i told you that sneezing kills your brain cells, would you take my word for it or test this idea? It's essential to assume that our ideas can be wrong and to do tests in order to see if they are or not.
The scientific method
http://www.theguardian.com/science/2007/aug/24/2
Scientists have developed a way to create an out of body experience. This can create a virtual reality for gamers and has many applications in the future. How did they do this? If there are many questions in your mind, keep reading.
The scientific method is more than a process, it's a whole new way of looking at the world. Think deeply about any questions you have around the world we live in such as where did we come from as a species? What are we made out of? How do we function? What is the sun made out of? How did life originate? Science is about investigating the world around us. It's about being a critical thinker and exploring new ideas. Once you are motivated to investigate and learn about reality, you are ready to become a scientist. How do you become a scientist? Every scientist in different branches follows a general but essential method known as the scientific method.
1. Make observations - We can make many observations with our natural senses but to get an even deeper glimpse into the intricate details of the universe, scientists use various tools. Scientists keep track of everything they can observe and pile it into data. Observations are used to either support or refute a hypothesis. You cannot simply observe without providing an explanation for that observation. Making observations and keeping consistent track of them are essential throughout the scientific method.
2. Asking questions - Science requires alot of creativity. When curiosity is sparked, it is a great idea to write down all the questions you have in a notebook concerning an observation such as what are the differences between men and women? How did life originate? How hot is the sun? What is it made out of? Can we travel through time inside black holes?
3. Scientific arguments - These aren't disagreements, but lines of reasoning deducing a conclusion based on three components: hypotheses, expected observations, and the outcomes. Hypotheses follow an if-then statement and is examined by many scientists. The questions you should be asking are the following:
a. What would we expect to see based on what we already know?
b. What do we observe now?
c. Do our expectations match the observations made?
4. Performing experiments - An experiment is a test designed to manipulate some factors to alter the outcome. They involve controlling factors in order to isolate the exact cause of the test results. There are lab tests and real world tests such as removing a species from it's environment to see how the ecosystem would function. Natural experiments are observations of the universe performing a test for us.
All experiments require making assumptions of nature which can be justified. Additional tests can be done to justify these assumptions. Some assumptions aren't tested because knowledge of a field determines it is safe to be assumed. If an expectation not supported by a test is formed by an idea, it can be right or wrong but even if it is right, it can be attributed to false positive test results.
5. Reviewing test results - Scientists evaluate several ideas on how something works and figure out which one has the most supportive evidence. Evidence may support an idea over another. It may rule out some other hypotheses. Evidence may also require revision in a hypothesis. It can also reveal a faulty assumption which causes the scientist to possibly redesign the experiment. Evidence can also lead towards another hypothesis and research. If hypotheses are equally plausible then the evidence is inconclusive. If an assumptions is shown to be faulty, the scientist may need to redesign the experiment. New questions and new research may arise from existing evidence.
Science is all about knowledge built upon by creative thinking. Science requires an open mind and rigorous procedure to ensure that we learn how things work. This is a basic overview of the scientific method. There is still much to learn.
Scientists have developed a way to create an out of body experience. This can create a virtual reality for gamers and has many applications in the future. How did they do this? If there are many questions in your mind, keep reading.
The scientific method is more than a process, it's a whole new way of looking at the world. Think deeply about any questions you have around the world we live in such as where did we come from as a species? What are we made out of? How do we function? What is the sun made out of? How did life originate? Science is about investigating the world around us. It's about being a critical thinker and exploring new ideas. Once you are motivated to investigate and learn about reality, you are ready to become a scientist. How do you become a scientist? Every scientist in different branches follows a general but essential method known as the scientific method.1. Make observations - We can make many observations with our natural senses but to get an even deeper glimpse into the intricate details of the universe, scientists use various tools. Scientists keep track of everything they can observe and pile it into data. Observations are used to either support or refute a hypothesis. You cannot simply observe without providing an explanation for that observation. Making observations and keeping consistent track of them are essential throughout the scientific method.2. Asking questions - Science requires alot of creativity. When curiosity is sparked, it is a great idea to write down all the questions you have in a notebook concerning an observation such as what are the differences between men and women? How did life originate? How hot is the sun? What is it made out of? Can we travel through time inside black holes?
3. Scientific arguments - These aren't disagreements, but lines of reasoning deducing a conclusion based on three components: hypotheses, expected observations, and the outcomes. Hypotheses follow an if-then statement and is examined by many scientists. The questions you should be asking are the following:
a. What would we expect to see based on what we already know?
b. What do we observe now?
c. Do our expectations match the observations made?
4. Performing experiments - An experiment is a test designed to manipulate some factors to alter the outcome. They involve controlling factors in order to isolate the exact cause of the test results. There are lab tests and real world tests such as removing a species from it's environment to see how the ecosystem would function. Natural experiments are observations of the universe performing a test for us.
5. Reviewing test results - Scientists evaluate several ideas on how something works and figure out which one has the most supportive evidence. Evidence may support an idea over another. It may rule out some other hypotheses. Evidence may also require revision in a hypothesis. It can also reveal a faulty assumption which causes the scientist to possibly redesign the experiment. Evidence can also lead towards another hypothesis and research. If hypotheses are equally plausible then the evidence is inconclusive. If an assumptions is shown to be faulty, the scientist may need to redesign the experiment. New questions and new research may arise from existing evidence.
Science is all about knowledge built upon by creative thinking. Science requires an open mind and rigorous procedure to ensure that we learn how things work. This is a basic overview of the scientific method. There is still much to learn.
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