Introduction to Biology/ How to perform research/ Science

• Biologie
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 4

What do Biologists do?

The steps of scientific research

1. Title

2. Research question

3. Hypothesis

4. Deduction

5. Materials

6. Method

7. Results

8. Conclusion

9. Discussion

10. Literature list

Plan of action

00:05

TITLE:

The scientific method

Monthy Python "We've got a witch" 

00:31

1: FORMULATE THE RESEARCH QUESTION:

 

How do you know she's a witch?

01:10

PRELIMINARY INVESTIGATION:

Consult "scientific" sources

01:48

Information from consulted sources:

Witches can burn.

Things that burn are made of wood.

02:25

Informatie uit geraadpleegde bronnen:

Heksen kunnen branden.

Dingen die branden zijn van hout.

Hout drijft. 

02:55

Information from consulted sources:

Witches can burn.

Things that burn are made of wood.

Wood floats.

Ducks float.

Anything that has the same weight as a duck is made of wood

If she is the same weight as a duck she is made of wood and therefore a witch!

02:59

Formulate a HYPOTHESIS based on the sources consulted:

"If she has the same weight as a duck, she will float; therefore she is a witch"

03:03

Deduction (expectation):

"If she has the same weight as a duck, she will float; therefore she is a witch"

03:07

MATERIALs and METHODS

Using the largest scale and a duck.

Place the woman and the duck on the scales

03:35

RESULTS:

The woman weighs the same as the duck.

03:44

CONCLUSION

The woman weighed as much as the duck, and therefore she is a witch

Discussion?

Literature List (sources):

Gilliam, T. (Director). (1975). Monty Python and the holy grail [Film].

 

Preparation

• Research usually starts with a question: the research question
• Goal of the research is to answer the question

Hypothesis

Expected answer to the research question

Often seen formats:

-Cause and effect: If....., then...

- Correlation: ....has a positive effect on...

- Differences: comparing two or more groups

Research plan

Different types of research:

Describing : collect data by observing

Experimental : testing hypothesis with experiment

- Control group

Developing : develop material/model/method

Designing experimental research

1. Determine variable to be experimentally changed
2. Design multiple groups:
   - Vary the variable between the groups
   - Try to include control group (eliminate variable)
   - Keep all other variables constant
3. Explain what will be measured, when, and how

Analysis results

• Displaying results in tables and graphs
• Drawing conclusion from results
• Comparing conclusion with hypothesis and analyse differences

04:21

Which statement best defines inference?

1. Using existing knowledge to make logical assumptions
2. Following a set of instructions step by step
3. Memorizing facts to recall later
4. Explaining a concept through visual representations

05:25

Why is peer-review important in academia?

1. To meet university requirements
2. To increase publication rates
3. To promote competition among researchers
4. To ensure the accuracy and credibility of research findings

06:39

Why is a controlled variable important in an experiment?

1. To ensure that any observed effects are due to the manipulated variable.
2. To confuse the participants in the experiment.
3. To make the experiment more complicated.
4. To add unnecessary complexity to the experiment.

08:04

How are the dependent and independent variables related?

1. The dependent and independent variables are unrelated.
2. The independent variable influences the dependent variable.
3. The dependent variable has no impact on the independent variable.
4. The dependent variable determines the independent variable.