PRACTICAL 3

TITLE: THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

LABORATORY OBJECTIVES

After completing this lab topic students should be able to:

1. Identify the characteristics of questions that can be answered using the scientific process.
2. Define hypothesis and determine the features of a good hypothesis.
3. Identify and describe the components of a scientific method / process.
4. Summarise and present results in tables and graphs.
5. Design a scientific experiment.
6. Interpret and communicate results.
7. Present the laboratory exercise in the form of a written scientific report

READINGS

Appendix 2 Biological techniques: A2.2, A2.2, A2.3 Taylor, D, J, Green, N.P.P. Stout, G. W.
and Soper, R. 1997 Biological Sciences 1 and 11 3rd. ed. Cambridge.
INTRODUCTION

This lab introduces you to science as it is practiced by scientists. Scientists use the scientific
method to test their explanations of phenomenon observed in living systems and organism. They
work in teams to test their hypotheses then present their tested explanation to their peers, orally at
scientific meetings and in print as a journal article. During the semester, you will have the
opportunity to practice; the elements of the scientific method, working in groups. You will also
present your findings orally to your demonstrator and fellow students and, a written lab report to
your demonstrator. This lab takes you through the elements of the scientific method and the format
of the lab report which mirrors the steps of the method.

We use the scientific method in our everyday life; we simply do not recognise the steps.

Steps in the scientific method

• Observation of natural phenomenon / or a problem

• Construct a question that relates to your observation/ problem
• Find out what others have found out about the subject then propose a hypothesis: which is
an educated guess a possible explanation to your question. A hypothesis must be
 written in such a way that it can be proven false. A hypothesis cannot be proven true it
can only be supported by the evidence.
• Make a prediction; this is a statement of what exist if the hypothesis is correct. The
prediction is the If-then process, if being the hypothesis and then being the prediction.
• Outlined the procedures for testing your hypothesis these may include experimentation,
additional observation or synthesis of information from other sources. For experimental
tests; dependent, independent, controlled and control variables and treatment levels must
be identified.
• Collect and analyse data
• Prepare a scientific report (lab report)

Here is an example of the method applied to a problem /observation.

The observation: some persons complained of intestinal cramps after eating potato chips prepared
with Olestra which is a synthetic fat replacement made from sugar and vegetable oil.

Question: does the synthetic fat replacement cause intestinal cramps?

Hypothesis: The synthetic fat replacement used in potato chips causes intestinal cramps.

Prediction: The synthetic fat replacement causes intestinal cramps therefore persons who eat
potato chips prepared with the synthetic fat are more likely to complain of cramps than persons
who eat chips prepared with natural fat.

Experiment: Control group – eats potato chips prepared with natural fat. Experimental group –
eats potato chips prepared with the synthetic fat.

Results: 17.6% of the persons in the control group later complained of cramps

Conclusion: The results do not support the hypothesis. Persons who had chips prepared with the
natural fat were just as likely to get intestinal cramps.

What are the dependent, independent, control and controlled variables in the experiment?

This study was reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association in Jan 1998.

Modified from: Starr et al. 2008. Biology Concepts and Applications 7th edition. Thomson.

PART 1: Exercise: Designing the experiment

Activity A (Prepare at home)

Use the scientific method to address the hypothetical problem below. Prepare to discuss the
problem within your group. This discussion will be led by your demonstrator.
 • Hypothetical Problem: you notice that different drugs when used singly reduced the blood
pressure of hypertensive patients but not to normal levels. You wonder if a combination of
these drugs would be more effective in reducing the blood pressure to normal levels.
• Formulate a question based on this observation
• State a hypothesis
• Make predictions based on the hypothesis
• Design the experiment: be sure to identify the independent, dependent, control and
controlled variables, and experimental treatments.

You may find the following definitions helpful. Independent variable – the factor that is being
manipulated. Dependent variable – the response to the independent variable. Standardised or
controlled variables - all other variables that are held constant. Experimental treatment – a test
group of individuals that are subjected to the same level of the independent variable. Control
variable/ treatment – a test group of individuals who get no drug treatment.
Activity B (To be conducted in the lab but you should begin thinking about it at home)

Use the scientific method to investigate the question outlined below.

Question: Cardiovascular fitness can be determined by measuring a person’s pulse rate and
respiration rate before and after aerobic exercise. A fit person may have a relatively slower pulse
rate and a lower respiration rate after exercise, and his or her pulse rate should return to normal
more quickly than a person who is less fit.

Investigate the effect of a well-defined, measurable, independent variable, which has an effect on
cardiovascular fitness.

• In your groups formulate a question(s) based on this observation. Choose your best
question then formulate a hypothesis.
• Write your question and hypothesis on the whiteboard
• The class should decide on a hypothesis to be tested. As a class, make a prediction and
decide on the experimental design. A modified version of the test will be used to test
cardiovascular fitness. Get familiar with the step of the test before coming to class.

[Link]

• Identify independent, dependent, controlled and control

variables; and treatment levels if appropriate and replication.
• Conduct experiment
• Collect and analyse data
• Prepare a lab report using the guidelines for preparation of report.
PART 2: Performing the experiment (Benches 1-13)

Recruit one subject in each category from each student team (2 subjects per bench). Assign other
team members to take pulse readings, before and after the step test and to time the step test.

Measure and record pulse rate-feel for pulse just behind the thumb for 30 secs, x2 to get beats
per minute (All subjects should have a pulse rate which is around the same value).

All subjects perform the step test for 5 min using a steady count or the metronome to keep steps
at a constant rate. Note height of the step in cm.

Immediately after the test, measure and record pulse rate of each subject.

Continue measuring pulse rate of each subject until it returns to normal. Record the time taken
for each subject’s pulse to return to normal. This is the recovery time.

Record the results of your group (raw data) in the following tables below.
 Treatment 1: MALES

Table 1: Results of the step test for MALE subjects recorded as pulse rates (beats / minute)

Pulse Rate (beats/min)

Recovery Time
Subject Immediately
Basal 1 min 2 min 3 min 4 min 5 min (mins)
after exercise
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
Average

TREND:
Treatment 2: FEMALES

Table 2: Results of the step test for female subjects recorded as pulse rates (beats / minute)

Pulse Rate (beats/min)

Subject Immediately Recovery Time
Basal after 1 min 2 min 3 min 4 min 5 min (mins)
exercise
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
Average

TREND:
 • Construct a line graph (line of best fit) showing average pulse rate (y axis) plotted
against time (x axis) for both male and female subjects (on the same graph use a key).

Discussion

The following points can be used as a guide:

• Explain the effect of exercise on pulse rate.

• Relate recovery time to the fitness of individuals.

• Explain the graph comparing male and female subjects.

LABORATORY EXERCISE MUST BE PRESENTED IN THE FORM OF A

WRITTEN SCIENTIFIC REPORT