? How might competing hypotheses be tested? Why is this important? Ignaz Semmelweiss' story or the story of coral atoll formation are good examples of this.
When observing a scientific question, scientists often have many different hypotheses. Compteing hypothesis might be tested one at a time. It is important to test one hypothesis at a time because it will lead to more accurate observations. Testing both at
7. What is a scientific argument? Are these arguments always generated in the same way?
Taken together, the expectations generated by a scientific idea and the actual observations relevant to this expectations form scientific argument. These arguments can be generated in any way.
8. Is all sceince done by conducting experiments? How do experiments differ from other types of scientific tests? Are all experiments the same?
Not all science is done my experimentation. Other types of scientific tests are; observing the results of natural experaments. Not all experiments are the same.
9. Through what process does data become evidence? Does data always tell the same story to all scientists?
Data become evidence only when they have been interpreted in a way that reflects on the accuracy or inaccuracy of a scientific idea. Data can be interpreted differently.
10. What are 6 different possible outcomes when analyzing scientific data results?
Evidence may lend support to one hypothesis over others
Evidence may help rule out some hypotheses.
Evidence may lead to the revision of a hypothesis
Evidence may reveal a faulty assumption, causing the scientist to revise his or her assumptions and possi
The process of science involves?
Testing ideas with evidence
Getting input from the scientific community
Interacting with society
Making assumptions
Making observations" fits into which two of the sections of the Science Flowchart (refer to diagram)?
Exploration and Discovery
Testing Ideas
Address societal issues" fits into which section of the Science Flowchart (refer to diagram)?
Benefits and Outcomes
Hypotheses" fit into which section of the Science Flowchart (refer to diagram)?
Testing Ideas
Raw data must be analyzed and interpreted before the data can tell us whether a scientific idea is likely to be accurate or inaccurate.
True
Scientific ideas + expectations + observations = _____________________
Scientific Argument
Dependent Variables
in an experiment, the factor that is being measured and that may change in response to manipulations of the independent variable
Independent Variable
The experimental factor that is manipulated; the variable whose effect is being studied. An experimental variable is chosen because the investigator thinks it will affect the dependent variable of interest.
2. Which type of variable is actually the data collected in an experiment?
Independent Variable
Control Variable
A variable that is kept constant during a controlled experiment.
what is the difference between control (standardized) variables and control groups?
Variables which are part of the experimental conditions and the immediate environment and must be carefully monitored and kept constant for all parts of the experiment are called control or standardized variables.
In scientific testing, a group of individ
How many Dependent Variables are possible for any experiment?
MANY
How many independent variables are possible to investigate in an experiment?
ONE
How many control variables are possible to investigate an experiment?
...
5. What makes a good scientific hypothesis?
Therefore, a good hypothesis must have two characteristics: 1) it must be able to account for all of the available data and 2) it must be able to be tested for accuracy.
� What is the principle argument of Elder Scott's General Conference address?
Knowledge of truth is of little value unless we apply it in making correct decisions.
� What points does Elder Scott emphasize when speaking about science?
Even those things we consider as solid, firm, tangible, when viewed at enormous magnification in the heavens or in minute matter, are mostly vacant space that God, our Father, perfectly controls and uses for His exalted purposes. So there are yet more of
� What points does Elder Scott emphasize when speaking about revelation?
. We find truth in religion by asking or responding to revelation. For success in asking we need to have unwavering faith and willingness to keep gods commandments so that our spiritual communication is always open.
� What is the appropriate way to use these methods (science and religion) for finding truth?
We need to follow the rules upon which these methods are predicated. Through the scientific method we might need to experiment to find truth. We find truth in religion by asking or responding to revelation. For success in asking we need to have unwavering
� In what ways are science and religion compatible and complementary?
...
� What are the overall purposes of science and religion?
To find truth and expand it.
What are the methods used?
There are two ways to find truth�both useful, provided we follow the laws upon which they are predicated.
Elder Scott used this as an example of someone who wasn't able to make a correct decision:
An overweight man in a bakery.
According to Elder Scott, what is not one of the limitations of the scientific method:
It relies on experimentation
According to Elder Scott, what the are of the limitations of the scientific method:
We can get the wrong answer.
We can't be sure that we have identified absolute truth.
Both science and revelation require that an individual understand and follow the processes or laws upon which they are based if they hope to find truth.
True
What is Science?
Science is both a body of knowledge and a process, it is useful, exciting, ongoing, a global human endeavor,
What kinds of questions can science answer?
Science can answer questions like what makes a person's hair straight or curly? It can also answer why does a fan make us feel cooler?
What are the characteristics of a scientific investigation
A scientific investigation can only answer questions that deal with natural processes. It aims to explain the natural world, uses testable ideas, relies on evidence, involved the scientific community, leads ongoing research, and benefits from scientific b
4. How might we use science and not know it?
Any question we ask about the natural and physical world is a scientific question. Every time we ask a question within these boundaries it is using science to answer our questions.
5. How did Ernest Rutherford use the scientific process in his work on atomic discovery?
In the beginning he wanted to understand the atom. He did investigations with alpha particles and their reactions with gold foil. Why did the alpha particles scatter when traveling through the gold foil. Would further investigation tell him about the layo
Is Intelligent Design scientific? Give a reason for your answer.
Intelligent Design is not scientific because it does not focus on the natural world, aim to explain the natural world (how/who), relies on evidence, involves the scientific community, and they don't behave scientifically (critiquing)
Why is it important to have a scientific community?
The scientific community is a group of people or organizations that generate scientific ideas, test them, publish scientific journals, organize conferences, train scientists, distribute funds for research, ect. The community allows science a knowledge bas
8. What are some of the important ingredients of "behaving scientifically"?
To behave scientifically is to behave in ways that will push science forward. You can do this by paying attention to what other people have already done, exposing your ideas to testing, assimilating evidence, openly communicate ideas ad tests to others, a
What kinds of questions can science not answer (or things that science cannot do)?
Science cannot explain why we love or if/where we came from before earth.
What is not a characteristic of science?
it helps us to decide how to use scientific discoveries.
What are characteristics of science?
it involves discovering the way the world works
it requires multiple lines of evidence
it is a process
it is useful
According to the "What is Science" website, what involves the use of a "scientific" approach?
Figuring out why centipedes like shady rocks in your back yard.
Determining the structure of the atom
Figuring out why your car will not start.
Working out the structure of DNA
What gives credibility to scientific explanation?
Many lines of evidence
What are the tools of science?
touch, logic, smell, and hearing
What are the functions of the scientific community?
To generate scientific ideas.To test scientific ideas.To publish scientific journals and to To organize conferences.
Acting scientifically" requires open communication of ideas.
True
What was not one of the examples of how Rutherford and his investigations of the atom are an example of a good scientific endeavor?
They kept their ideas to themselves until they were sure they had enough evidence to support their original hypothesis.
. How does science investigation actually "work"?
When a scientist performs an investigation it involves repeating the same steps many times to account for new information and ideas. Science depends on interactions within the scientific community (different parts by different people).
2. Explain how science is not done in isolation by individual scientists. How does the process of discovering what we know about DNA exemplify this idea?
The research of DNA went on for many years and involved many scientists. As new and different scientists discovered more and shared more about DNA, we learned more and multiplied the knowledge.
What are the key points of the process of scientific study?
There are many routes into the process - scientists often begin an investigation by brainstorming, making new observations, chatting about new ideas, or reading.
Scientific testing is at the heart of the process - all ideas are tested with evidence from t
4. Why are there no such things as "happy accidents" or serendipity in science? Use the example of Henry Bequerel to demonstrate this.
There is no such thing as "happy accidents" in science. In the Henry Bequerel example, he didn't just come upon the discovery of radioactivity. At first he was intrigued and started many experiments that eventually led to the discovery of radioactivity. I
5. How do we get from simple observations to discovering actual explanations for how the natural world works?
Sometimes, observations are clarified and questions arise though discussions with colleagues and reading the work of other scientists.
What is the difference between a hypothesis and a prediction?
A hypothesis is a question from an observation. A prediction is a guess for the explanation in the hypothesis.
6. What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative data?
Quantitative data are based upon measurements using a scale with equal intervals (the height of tomato plants in centimeters).
Qualitative data are also observations but do not use a scale with equal intervals (the color of plants leaves).
Quantitative data
data represented as numerical figures that can be expressed in numerical terms, counted, or compared on a scale
Qualitative data
data you collect usuing your senses
7. What should one look for when examining science in the news?
When examining science in the news one should make sure that the reporter put the study in the context of other research on the same subject, that the news story contained commentary from other independent scientists and that the reporter listed the limit
Quantitative data is usually considered more powerful in science because it can be analyzed statistically.
True
the variable of interest that is being studied
Independent variable
the variables that are kept constant in an experiment
Standardized variable
the same as the data in an experiment
Dependent variable
prediction
a logical statement about what will happen if the hypothesis is correct. If, then....
What are things you should look for when evaluating science in the news?
Was there a large sample size of experimental subjects?
Were independent scientists consulted on the news story?
Was the government involved?
Were there any limitations to the study noted by the reporter?
1. Can science be done without making assumptions? Are there ways that some assumptions can be resolved?
All scientific tests involve making assumptions! They can be independently tested, increasing our confidence in our test results. Scientific observations can be made directly with our own senses or may be made indirectly through the use of tools.
Assumptions
Statements that describe concepts or connect two concepts that are factual and that are accepted as truths.
Observations
Information gathered by noticing facts and occurrences using your five senses.Scientific observations can be made directly with our own senses or may be made indirectly through the use of tools.
Where are scientific studies published?
peer-reviewed journal articles
How does the peer review process work?
1. A group of scientists completes a study and writes it up in the form of an article. They submit it to a journal for publication.
2. The journal's editors send the article to several other scientists who work in the same field (i.e., the "peers" of peer
Why is it important that scientists publish their work?
Peer-review articles provide a trusted form of scientific communication. It meets the standards of science.
3. What is a scientific theory? How does a scientific theory differ from the way we use the word theory in everyday life?
In science, a theory is a powerful explanation for a broad set of observations. In common usage, the word theory means just a hunch.
4. How does a theory differ from a hypothesis? What does it take to be an over-arching theory? Do theories ever change? Explain.
Hypotheses are proposed explanations for a fairly narrow set of phenomena. Theories, on the other hand, are broad explanations for a wide range of phenomena.
Over-arching theories
A term used here to refer to fundamental and particularly broad explanations for many aspects of the natural world. Over-arching theories often help define scientific disciplines and embody the principles that are at the core of our understanding of pheno
Theory Change
is a community process of feedback, experiment, observation, and communication. It usually involves interpreting existing data in new ways and incorporating those views with new results.
Cold fusion
the idea that nuclear fusion can happen at lower temperatures
Voodoo science
Voodoo science in this context has to do with scientific claims that seem plausible, but just aren't so�like perpetual motion machines or astrology.
what are the 2 fundamental characteristics of a dependable scientific claim?
(1) it is supported by reliable, reproducible observations
(2) it can be explained in terms of a rational model.
What is a scientific model? What are models used for?
A model is a mental construct or picture which attempts to describe the features of a system.
But notice that the model often describes the system in terms of another system that is more familiar� the atom is like the solar system. The point is that this
10. When confronted with new scientific claims what questions should you ask?
First, reliability: the normal procedure for disseminating new research is by publication in peer?reviewed journals.
When we talk about reproducibility, we're talking about two different types: within the lab, from experiment to experiment, and between di
11. What is the difference between claims supported by reliable scientific evidence and testimonials?
Can you show me reliable, reproducible observations that support the claim? I can tell the data are reliable if they are published in a peer?reviewed journal. Don't show me testimonials of satisfied customers�that's not an acceptable means to support scie
15. Carl Sagan is quoted as saying, "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proofs." What does that mean?
But these kinds of revolutions are successful only when the amount of evidence is so overwhelming that changing the model is the only alternative.
If a theory suggests a new idea which cannot be tested then that idea cannot be accepted as a scientific proposal unitl it CAN be tested.
False
Assumption
accepting something as true that has not been shown to be true
Hypothesis
proposed explanations for narrow or indovidual questions
Theory
powerful explanations for wide range of observations
Observations
to note something using our senses
Over-arching theories
reflect a broad understanding of the natural world and help us frame and understanding of the world around us
What is the proper order for publishing the results of a scientific experiment?
Write up a report of the research done > submit to the editor of a peer reviewed scientific journal > Have your work reviewed by others in the same field>Revise and resubmit the article > published in the science journal.
What are are purposes of having a scientific community rather than individual researchers working in isolation?
Other scientists can serve as fact checkers
Communities help to generate new ideas that help science to keep moving forward
To keep each other honest in reporting their results and help to reduce bias from creeping into scientific conclusions
When two or more hypotheses seem to fit the available evidence equally well, the hypothesis that is more generally applicable, is more simple, and/or generates more ideas is usually the one most accepted.
True
What involves making an assumption?
The thermometer in my car tells me it is 78 degrees outside.
It is always cooler on a cloudy day.
The sun will rise in the east tomorrow.
The price of gasoline is going to continue rising.