Hiba Naqvi
03/15/2025
Class notes for BIOL 190
The Scientific Method
1. What is the Scientific Method?
● Definition: A systematic way of investigating natural phenomena through observation,
experimentation, and logical reasoning.
● Purpose: To acquire new knowledge, test hypotheses, and refine or reject theories.
2. Steps in the Scientific Method
1. Observation
○ Description: Noticing a phenomenon or problem.
○ Example: Observing that plants in a certain area grow taller than in others.
2. Question
○ Description: Formulating a question based on the observation.
○ Example: "Why do plants in this area grow taller than others?"
3. Hypothesis
○ Description: A testable and falsifiable statement or prediction that can be proven
true or false.
○ Example: "Plants with more sunlight will grow taller than plants with less
sunlight."
4. Experimentation
○ Description: Designing a controlled experiment to test the hypothesis. Includes:
■ Independent variable: What you change (e.g., amount of sunlight).
■ Dependent variable: What you measure (e.g., plant height).
■ Control group: Group that does not receive the experimental treatment
(e.g., plants with less sunlight).
○ Example: Place some plants in full sunlight and others in partial sunlight, then
measure their growth over time.
5. Data Collection and Analysis
○ Description: Collecting data (qualitative or quantitative) and analyzing the
results.
○ Example: Measure the height of the plants every week.
03/15/2025
Class notes for BIOL 190
The Scientific Method
1. What is the Scientific Method?
● Definition: A systematic way of investigating natural phenomena through observation,
experimentation, and logical reasoning.
● Purpose: To acquire new knowledge, test hypotheses, and refine or reject theories.
2. Steps in the Scientific Method
1. Observation
○ Description: Noticing a phenomenon or problem.
○ Example: Observing that plants in a certain area grow taller than in others.
2. Question
○ Description: Formulating a question based on the observation.
○ Example: "Why do plants in this area grow taller than others?"
3. Hypothesis
○ Description: A testable and falsifiable statement or prediction that can be proven
true or false.
○ Example: "Plants with more sunlight will grow taller than plants with less
sunlight."
4. Experimentation
○ Description: Designing a controlled experiment to test the hypothesis. Includes:
■ Independent variable: What you change (e.g., amount of sunlight).
■ Dependent variable: What you measure (e.g., plant height).
■ Control group: Group that does not receive the experimental treatment
(e.g., plants with less sunlight).
○ Example: Place some plants in full sunlight and others in partial sunlight, then
measure their growth over time.
5. Data Collection and Analysis
○ Description: Collecting data (qualitative or quantitative) and analyzing the
results.
○ Example: Measure the height of the plants every week.
