1.
3 Scientific Thinking and Processes
KEY CONCEPT
Science is a way of thinking, questioning, and gathering
evidence.
MAIN IDEAS
•Like all science, biology is a process of inquiry.
•Biologists use experiments to test hypotheses.
• A theory explains a wide range of observations.
• Scientists communicate information in many different
ways.
•One of the most important points of science is that
scientific evidence may support or even overturn
long-standing ideas.
1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes
Science is a human process of trying to understand the
world around us.
Scientific thinking is based on curiosity, skepticism,
and logical thinking.
• Curiosity is what drives scientists to ask questions about
the world around them.
• Skepticism is the use of critical thinking to question,
results, and conclusions.
• Logical thinking is the use of reasoning through
information to make conclusions that are supported by
evidence.
1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes
1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes
Like all science, biology is a process of inquiry.
• Scientists make careful and systematic observations.
• includes using our senses to study the world, but it may also involve other tools.
• scientists use computers to collect measurements or to examine
past research results. Empirical evidence is gathered through
• observation.
Scientists record observations as data that can be
analyzed.
Scientists collect two general types of data: qualitative data
(descriptions of a phenomenon that can include
sights, sounds, and smells. ) and quantitative data
(characteristics that can be measured or counted,
•such
Scientists
as mass,formvolume,
a hypothesis
and as a possible answer to a
temperature).
question.
• Scientists test their hypotheses and analyze their data.
1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes
1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes
1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes
Analyzed data are the results of the experiment.
There are two possible outcomes or results.
• Nonsignificant :
The data show no effect, or an effect so small that the
results could have happened by chance.
• Statistically significant :
The data show an effect that is likely not due to
chance. When data do not support a hypothesis, the
hypothesis is rejected. But these data are still useful
because they often lead to new hypotheses.
1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes
Biologists use experiments to test hypotheses.
• Observational studies allow scientists to describe a
phenomenon.
1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes
• Experimentals allow scientists to determine what causes
a phenomenon.
1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes
• Experimental studies allow scientists to determine what
causes a phenomenon.
– Independent variables are manipulated. Changed, by
a scientist.
– Dependent variables are observed and measured.
Ex. Dose of
medications to
treat a high blood
pressure.
– Constants are conditions that are kept the same.
1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes
A theory explains a wide range of observations.
• Theories explain a wide range of observations and
experimental results.
• A theory is supported by a wide range of scientific
evidence.
• Theories can change based on new evidence.
For many years scientific New evidence shows that ulcers are
caused by bacteria.
evidence indicated that
stomach ulcers were
caused by stress. Then
new evidence showed
that ulcers are actually
caused by a type of
bacteria
1.3 Scientific Thinking and Processes
Scientists communicate information in many different
ways.
• You may have seen written sources that include
scientific information, such as product advertisements,
magazine articles, or webpages.
•Scientific information may be presented at science fairs
and symposia, which are forums for professional
scientists to present and discuss new research.
