General Characteristics of Science:

Define terms and assumptions

• tomorrow = "when next we meet as a class"
• fact = anything observable, directly or indirectly
  • (inherently boring by definition)
• qualitative = descriptive fact, not able to be measured
• quantitative = measurable fact
• data = any collection of facts,
  • usually implies quantitative rather than qualitative,
  • but not part of definition
• any measurement is an estimate
  • "precise" = how repeatable a measurement is,
  • "accurate" = how close to actual value an estimate is

examples of assumptions:

• a fundamental premise (assumption) of statistics
  • The average of several estimates is 'better' than any one estimate, and
    • variance (standard deviation) about mean estimates precision
    • [within estimates, W/I].
  • the Central Limit Theorem [a provable mathematical theorem]
    • The average of several means [Grand Mean]
      is more accurate than any one mean,
    • and the assumption:
      • variance about the Grand Mean estimates accuracy
      • [between estimates, B/T].

Logical argument

• deductive reasoning - Sherlock Holmes.
• inductive reasoning - if A and B then C

Willingness to abandon theories, given new facts or better theories

Experimental verification of theories

Communication of results

a [not "The"] Scientific Method:

In the lab Science is, or should be, "hands-on" or discovery method!

1. ask simple questions

2. guess answer

• (we spell guess "h y p o t h e s i s")
• a hypothesis should:
  • a) predict some observable event which will occur if conditions are met
  • b) but event will not occur if conditions are not met.

3. conduct experiment to test hypothesis

• experimental group where conditions are met
• control group where conditions are not met

4. draw conclusions

• If event = T in experimental, AND event = F in control
  • shout "Eureka! I proved my hypothesis to be true."
  or
• If event = F in experimental, OR event = T in control
  • shout "Eureka, I proved my hypothesis to be false."

5. write lab report

• (at Ancilla College, use MLA format)
• Introduction
  • what are your question and your hypothesis?
  • provide any appropriate library research or other background information,
    with appropriate citations.
• Procedures (Materials and Methods)
  • like a recipe, in sufficient detail that anyone could repeat the experiment.
  • what supplies are needed (be specific), and how much of each.
  • what to do with the supplies.
• Data
  • what happened? qualitative and/or quantitative data; "just the facts..."
  • tables, graphs, pictures, etc.
• Conclusions
  • the hypothesis is true!
    or
  • the hypothesis is false.
  • [optional] how does this change our concept of how the Universe works?

Printer-friendly version: View, Page Style, Print me; File, Print
Screen version: View, Page Style, TwoOldGuys

RETURN TO OUTLINE
© 2004 TwoOldGuys™