After the fourth week of lab you should
be familiar with:
-
the terms used to describe the scientific method.
-
applying the scientific method to answer questions
related to human physiology.
-
the use of specific equipment to support data collection
and graphical analysis
-
writing a report in scientific format.
In the past three weeks you have been exposed to parts
of biology that we think is really cool. You've looked at organisms under
the microscope and learned how biologists classify them. You've learned
to describe how cells deal with water movement through their membranes.
This week you have focused more on how scientists approach their work to
help explain the unexplained. First, they observe an unexplained
phenomenon. Next, they develop an hypothesis to possibly explain
the phenomenon. They then test the hypothesis by designing
an experiment that explains the variables of the hypothesis. Finally,
an experiment wouldn't be complete without the ability to accurately and
precisely report your findings to your colleagues. Therefore, scientists
hold a strict guideline on how to report data. Go through the following
study guide and online links to solidify your understanding of the material
from this week.
Human
Physiology/Scientific Writing Study Guide
1.
What are the 7 sections of a scientific paper and the purpose of each?
2.
What should be included in the results section of a report? What should
not be included?
3.
What are the 3 generalized steps of the scientific method in the correct
order?
4.
What is important to consider when choosing a sample size for an experiment?
5.
What is a control and why is it important to include in an experiment?
6.
The __________ variable is the condition that changes, and which is measured
and recorded.
7.
In order to estimate your percent body fat, you should use a spirometer.
(True/False)
Other
Links on the Web
Southeastern Louisiana University presentation
on the scientific method.
An interesting discussion
on the scientific method.
How
to get a date using the scientific method --> results are not guaranteed!
Some examples
in biology of the use of the scientific method.
answers to study guide:
-
Title: succinct reflection of paper content.
Abstract: concise summary of the paper. Introduction:
includes sufficient background on the topic and the specific purpose of
the study. Materials and Methods: specific instructions of
what materials and methods were used to perform the experiment. Results:
Summarize the data from the experiment without discussing implications.
Discussion: discuss the implications of the results. Literature
Cited: a listing of articles or books that is referred to in the text
of the paper.
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The results section is specifically a section to report
data. This allows the reader to make their own conclusions about
your findings without you steering them in any one direction.
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Observe, hypothesize, and test.
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Whether the number of replicates in your sample accurately
reflects the big picture. For example, if you averaged the height
of Western's basketball players, this average height would not accurately
reflect the average height of the student population.
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A control is generally the removal of the independent
variable to insure that there are no other unexplained independent variables.
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dependent.
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False, the spirometer is used to measure lung capacity.
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