1.3 Notes

The Methods of Biology

Scientific Method- common steps that scientists use to gather information and answer questions.

Steps:

1. Question to answer

2. Hypothesis- explanation for a question that can be tested.

3. Experiment- procedure to test a hypothesis by collecting information under controlled conditions.

Experiments have 2 groups:

A. Control- conditions are kept the same.

B. Experimental- all conditions the same

except single one being tested.

1. Independent variable-condition that is changed, it affects the outcome of the experiment.

2. Dependent variable- depends on changes made to the independent variable.

4. Observation and Gathering information

Data- information obtained from experiments

5. Analysis of data

6. Conclusion

Theory- an explanation that is supported by large body of scientific evidence.

Law- facts of nature, generally known to be true.