Scientific Method and Variables and Correlation
Biology Laboratory Research Paper
I. The Scientific Method
Scientists see the world from a different perspective. Scientists observe the environment and the surroundings and ask questions. Once questions are formulated the next step for a scientist is to try and come up with answers. This method of inquiry and analysis is called the scientific method. As previously mentioned the scientific method starts by asking questions and then trying to find answers. "Scientists use the scientific method to construct an accurate representation of the world through the testing of scientific theories" (Environmental Protection Agency). The scientific method is "a systematic approach to the discovery of new information" (Denniston, Topping, and Caret 3).
"The Scientific method is a body of techniques for investigating phenomena and acquiring new knowledge, as well as for correcting and integrating previous knowledge. It is based on gathering observable, empirical, measurable evidence, subject to the principles of reasoning" (Wikepia.org). This method is not formalized or standard among the different science branches but it serves as an organized approach to solve problems. Therefore, the scientific method is not a cookbook recipe but a guide whose steps could be done simultaneously or even in a different order. The scientific method has the following characteristics: observation of phenomena, formulation of a question, pattern recognition, developing theories, experimentation and summarizing information.
The first two steps of the scientific method involve observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena and then formulating a question. The description must be reliable, replicable and valid (Wikipedia.org). Scientists will try and find a cause and effect relationship and that will lead to the development of theories. Scientists observe the phenomenon and will try to explain it with a hypothesis. A hypothesis is "an attempt to explain an observation, or
I. The Scientific Method
Scientists see the world from a different perspective. Scientists observe the environment and the surroundings and ask questions. Once questions are formulated the next step for a scientist is to try and come up with answers. This method of inquiry and analysis is called the scientific method. As previously mentioned the scientific method starts by asking questions and then trying to find answers. "Scientists use the scientific method to construct an accurate representation of the world through the testing of scientific theories" (Environmental Protection Agency). The scientific method is "a systematic approach to the discovery of new information" (Denniston, Topping, and Caret 3).
"The Scientific method is a body of techniques for investigating phenomena and acquiring new knowledge, as well as for correcting and integrating previous knowledge. It is based on gathering observable, empirical, measurable evidence, subject to the principles of reasoning" (Wikepia.org). This method is not formalized or standard among the different science branches but it serves as an organized approach to solve problems. Therefore, the scientific method is not a cookbook recipe but a guide whose steps could be done simultaneously or even in a different order. The scientific method has the following characteristics: observation of phenomena, formulation of a question, pattern recognition, developing theories, experimentation and summarizing information.
The first two steps of the scientific method involve observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena and then formulating a question. The description must be reliable, replicable and valid (Wikipedia.org). Scientists will try and find a cause and effect relationship and that will lead to the development of theories. Scientists observe the phenomenon and will try to explain it with a hypothesis. A hypothesis is "an attempt to explain an observation, or
Cited: American Cancer Society. Cellular Phones. 2006. 10 Jan. 2007. Denniston, Katherine J., Joseph J. Topping, and Robert L. Caret. General, Organic, and Biochemistry. New York: New York, 2007. Environmental Protection Agency. What is the Scientific Method? 2006. 10 Jan. 2007. Helmenstine, Anne M.. Scientific Hypothesis, Theory, Law Definitions. 10 Jan 2007. About.com. < http://chemistry.about.com/od/chemistry101/a/lawtheory.htm> Rochester University. Introduction to the Scientific Method. 10 Jan. 2007.