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STUDY GUIDELINES
LECTURE 2
Scientific method
Describe the steps of scientific thinking Define hypothesis How does science reduce the possibility of error and bias ? Provide examples of bias Define hypothesis What are the different ways of testing hypotheses ? What is a theory ? Differentiate between scientific and non scientific theories
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WINTER 2012
BIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES ON SEX

The Scientific Method

1. Observe an event. 2. Develop a model (or hypothesis) which makes a prediction. model 3. Test the hypothesis. 4. Observe the result. test 5. Revise the hypothesis. 6. Repeat as needed. 7. Hypothesis becomes a Scientific Theory.
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Step 1: Observation
Scientists are typically trained observers, noticing and recording the smallest details

Have to reduce the possibility of error and bias

Selective perception
Ex: pencil rolls under desk/ hard to reach places Most people tend to notice an event more when it has a negative or uncomfortable effect Scientific method requires to take note of every spot the pencil dropped
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Step 1: Observation
Have to reduce the possibility of error and bias
Self-fulfilling prophecy (another example of bias)
Ex: Annoyed with someone with blond hair recall dumb blond stereotype May go through next months years, noticing all blonds that are annoying but not the ones that are not May not recall the stereotype when encountering annoying brunettes
Hypothesis

Step 2: Hypothesis
Propose a question or generalisation based upon the information

Consistent trends or patterns in the information/ observations should be the basis for the hypothesis, and a scientist should not start off with a personally preferred idea

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Step 3. Test the hypothesis

Tests of a hypothesis do not have to be laboratory experiments There are many ways of testing ideas. Tests can include

Step 3. Test the hypothesis

An experiment is a carefully planned and executed manipulation of the natural world that has been designed to test your prediction The experiment must account for all factors that may vary during the experiment (variables) except for the controlled variable (which is the factor or element under study)
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The one thing the test must do is allow for possible outcomes that support or reject the hypothesis 8

7. Hypothesis becomes a theory

This step only happens when a hypothesis has been tested multiple times, by many different scientists, and peer reviewed
By you. By anyone.

Theories
So: a theory is a highly successful hypothesis. A successful theory is repeatable. All hypotheses make predictions. All theories make predictions. All theories can be tested. Result: Any scientific theory is subject to change as our ability to make tests, or make observations of a tests results, improves with time.
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Non-scientific Theories

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