The document outlines the basic scientific method which involves making observations, developing hypotheses, conducting experiments to gather data, analyzing and interpreting the data, and drawing conclusions. It also discusses different levels of certainty in science from hypotheses and theories, which are testable but not proven, to scientific laws which are widely accepted based on evidence. The document notes that frontier science involves new areas that have not been widely tested while reliable science involves well-tested areas with peer review. It acknowledges the limits of science in being able to disprove things but not absolutely prove anything, and the potential for researcher bias.

1. Science, Matter, Energy,
and Systems
Ch. 2
Miller and Spoolman, 16th ed.

2. The Basic Scientific Method
• 5 steps
 Observation - all 5 senses
 Hypothesis - prediction
about the relationship
between cause & effect
 Experiment/Gather Data
 Analysis/Interpret Data
 Conclusion
Research - get as
much info as you
can before
beginning

3. Levels of certainty
• Hypothesis:
 Prediction
 very specific
 Testable
 falsifiable
• Theory
 supported by tons of evidence,
widely accepted
 Broad
 carries a lot of weight in
science
 falsifiable
• Scientific Law
 Widely accepted
 All evidence supports it
here and in the universe
So far…

5. Frontier Science
• New stuff
• Not widely tested yet
• Many scientists skeptical (yay!)
• Examples:
 Advanced alternative energy technologies
 Emerging areas of physics
 Space propulsion beyond rockets

6. Reliable Science
• Well tested
• Good experimental design
• Peer reviewed

7. Unreliable Science
• Not peer
reviewed
(straight to the
public)
• Discarded by
scientists
• BE CRITICAL!

8. The Limits of Science
• Scientists can
disprove things
• Science cannot
absolutely prove
anything – always
some degree of
uncertainty
• Instead we say there
is a high probability
that it is true

9. The Limits of Science
• Researcher bias – our feelings, opinions,
etc sometimes get in the way of impartial
research
 Peer review helps minimize this issue

10. Listen…Learn…
• 8 minute radio interview with a
wildlife photographer
• As you listen, think about these
questions:
• Do animals have feelings
the way humans do - or –
do we anthropomorphize
too much?
• What evidence do you have
(if any) for this position?
• Is anthropomorphism
helpful to
environmentalists?

28. The Limits of Science
• Statistical tools have
limits
 Can’t actually count all the
fish in the sea!
 Sampling methods used
 Data still important –
especially trends in data
over time

30. The Limits of Science
• The environment is SO
complex
• Scientists use computer
models to simulate
conditions
• Can be helpful for large
scale things like climate
change

31. The DayThe Day
theythey
ParachutedParachuted
Cats intoCats into
BorneoBorneo

32. Where in the world is Borneo?Where in the world is Borneo?

34. DirectionsDirections
1.1. Read over the different eventsRead over the different events
2.2. LIST them on your paper in theLIST them on your paper in the
order you think they happenedorder you think they happened
Bonus pointsBonus points
for gettingfor getting
pretty closepretty close
(less than 3-(less than 3-
4 off)4 off)

35. Some help…Some help…
 The first event is:The first event is:
W.H.O. sent DDT toW.H.O. sent DDT to
BorneoBorneo
 The last event is:The last event is:
Cats were parachutedCats were parachuted
inin
A food web present inA food web present in
Borneo: on boardBorneo: on board
So you are tryingSo you are trying
to figure out:to figure out:
WHY did theWHY did the
W.H.O. have toW.H.O. have to
parachute catsparachute cats
into Borneo?into Borneo?
What led up toWhat led up to
that?!?that?!?