BIOL 211D Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Scientific Writing, Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning
Document Summary
Humans use logic to understand the patterns they observe around them. We typically consider two general modes of logic. Inductive reasoning: bottom-up reasoning in which a generalization is considered probable based on many observations. Deductive reasoning: top-down reasoning in which one or more statements (i. e. , premises) are used to reach a logically certain conclusion. The scientific method is the iterative process we use to derive scientific knowledge from observable phenomena. Question: an expression of uncertainty about a phenomena. Hypothesis: a testable or falsifiable explanation for a phenomena. Predictions: the logical expectations if the hypothesis is accurate. Test: the confrontation of the predictions with observations from nature (i. e. , data) Previous observations use deductive reasoning to make hypotheses, or guesses. You can never prove anything with 100% certainty. Can demonstrate the strength of the evidence. To see specific findings: end of paper. Briefly states what the article is about.
