Lab 1
The Scientific Method
Jonathan Montgomery
jmont030@ucr.edu
Section 43929: Tuesday 2:00-5:10
Section 42244: Wednesday 2:00-5:10
Scientific Method Overview
Observation → Question → Hypothesis → Experiment → Analysis of Results
↓
Specific
↓
↓
Testable and Independent
falsifiable
variable and
control
The strength of the scientific method for answering questions is due to its
methodical and repeatable nature
Laboratory Safety
• Close-toed shoes & long pants
• Carry microscopes with two hands
• Evacuate in case of fire alarm
• Alert instructor to broken glass
• Read lab manual prior to lab
• Important safety equipment:
Fire extinguisher
Chemical shower
• Clean up (Take picture at beginning of lab)
Designing Questions and Hypotheses
• For questions to work in the scientific method, they should be specific
and answerable using empirical data
• Hypotheses represent possible answers to our questions, or possible
explanations for an observation
Dependent and Independent Variables
• Independent- Changed by investigator
• Dependent- Measured by investigator to determine effect of
independent variable
• Constant variables must be consistent between treatments
Controls are identical to experimental treatment except for the variable
being tested for effect
Scientific Method Overview
Observation → Question → Hypothesis → Experiment → Analysis of Results
↓
Specific
↓
↓
Testable and Independent
falsifiable
variable and
control
Some consider publishing findings as the final step of the scientific method
Activity #4
• Thumb wrestling
• Think of measurements as variables
normally manipulated in research
Microscopy
Microscopy
• Focus microscope using objective lens with lowest magnification
• At higher magnifications more light will be needed
Learn the following terms and how changing magnification affects
them:
• Field of view
• Brightness of field
• Resolution
Scientific Notation
0.000000475
↓
4.75 X 10-7
Exponent represents the number of digits you must move decimal
103=1 X 103
↓
1000