This document outlines the steps of the scientific method used to solve biological problems: 1) Recognition of a biological problem through observations or questions, 2) Forming a hypothesis to explain observations, 3) Making deductions to predict outcomes based on the hypothesis, 4) Experimentation to test the hypothesis, 5) Summarizing quantitative experimental data, 6) Drawing conclusions based on statistical analysis of results, and 7) Reporting findings so others can verify or apply the new knowledge to other problems. Examples are provided for each step of the scientific method.

2. Chapter 2
Solving a Biological
Problem

3.  It is the systemized
knowledge from
observations and
experiments.
 These experiments are
carried out to determine
the principal about
 how nature
operates………

4.  What is problem?
 Questions about living things have
provided problems that man has
investigated to aid his own survival and to
satisfy his desire to know.
?

5.  What is biological method?
 The scientific method in which
biological problems are solved, is
termed as biological method.
OR
 An organized way of solving
problems

6. IMPORTANCE
 In scientific research
 Advancements of
medicines
 Ecology
 Technology
 Also ensures the
quality of data for
public use.

7. Steps in the Scientific
Method
1) Recognition of biological
problem
2) Observation
3) Hypothesis
4) deduction
5) Experiment
6) Summarization of result
7) Reporting the result

8. STEP 1.
Recognition of biological problem
 A biological
problem is a
question
 related to living
organisms
 that is either asked
by some one or
comes in biologist’s
mind by himself

9. STEP 2. Observations
 Biologist recall previous
observation or make new
ones.
 Made with five senses
 vision
 Hearing
 Smell
 Taste
 touch
AH—Look at this!

10. Observations
 An example of an
observation might
be noticing that
many salamanders
near a pond have
curved, not
straight, tails

11. Observations
 I observe that plants
near my neighbors yard
grow bigger than the
others in my yard.

12. Types of Observations
Qualitative
 Physical traits that can
be described
 are variable
 not measureable
 These can not be
written in numbers
Quantitative
Made through
instruments
 are invariable
 measureable
 These can be
written in numbers

14. EXAMPLE:

15. WHAT TYPE OF
OBSERVATION IS THIS?

17. Example ……..
 qualtitative
 The freezing point of
water is colder than
boiling point of water
 quantitative
 The freezing point of
water is 0 c than
boiling point of water
is 100 c.

18. qualtitative
The liter of
water is heavier
than liter of
ethanol.
 Quantitative
 The liter of
water is heavier
than liter of
ethanol.

19. STEP 3. Hypothesis
 Biologist organize
observations into
data form and
construct a
statement that may
prove to be the
 “Answer of the biological
problem”
 Tentative explanation
of observations is
called hypothesis.

20. Hypothesis
 An example of a
hypothesis might
be that the
salamanders have
curved tails due to
a pollutant in the
moist soil where
they live.

21. Characteristics of hypothesis
 It should be general statement
 It should agree with available
observations
 It should be kept as simple as
possible.
 Must be testable

22. Step 4.
DEDUCTIONS…..(expect)
 Definition:
 The logical consequences of hypothesis
Or
the conclusion drawn from Hypothesis using if-then..........
 For this purpose, a hypothesis is taken as true
and expected results are drawn from it.
Sometimes written as If…Then… statements
Predicts an outcome

23.  “If……then……”
 If I put fertilizer on
my plants, then they
will grow bigger
Step 4. DEDUCTIONS

24. Step 5.
EXPERIMENTATION

25. Experimentation
 The most basic step
 Biologists perform
experiment to see if
hypothesis are true or not
 A procedure to test the
hypothesis.

26. Remember: To be a Valid
Experiment:
 Two groups are required ---
the control & experimental
groups
 There should be only one
variable

27. What is the Purpose of a
Control?
 Controls are NOT being
tested
 Controls are used for
COMPARISON

28. #1 Experimental Group-given the experimental factor
or changed in some way
#2 Control Group:-NOT changed
Experimental Group
Fertilizer
Control Group
No Fertilizer

29. Step 6.
Summarization of results
 Biologist gather actual,
quantitative data from
experiments.
 Data are then averaged and
compared statistically.
 To draw conclusions,
biologist also uses statistical
analysis.

30. Step 7.
Reporting results
 In scientific journals and books, in talks at
national and international meetings and in
seminars at colleges and universities.
 Essential part of scientific method.
 Allows other people to verify the results
Or
 Apply knowledge to solve other
problems

31. Overview
Question or Problem
Form a Hypothesis
Summarization of Result
Reporting Results
Observations
Experimentation
Deduction

32.  The end……….