EESA01H3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Scientific Method
11 Dec 2017
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Steps: make observations: set the scientific method in motion, ask questions, develop a hypothesis: answer questions by devising explanations that can be tested. A hypothesis is an educated guess to explain a phenomenon or answer a scientific question. A scientist investigating algal growth in ponds might observe fertilizers applied on fields nearby. Agricultural fertilizers running into ponds cause the algae in the ponds to increase. : make predictions: use the hypothesis to make predictions, statements that can be directly tested. If agricultural fertilizers are added to a pond, the quantity of algae in the pond will increase. : test the predictions gather evidence from experiment. Manipulative experiment: choose and manipulate the independent variable vs natural. The scientific process does not stop with the scientific method. Theory: a widely accepted, well-tested explanation of cause-and-effect relationships, validated by research. A theory combines many related hypotheses that"ve been tested and supported by data.
