The Scientific Method

Area 1: Belief and Science

Lesson Aim• To learn about the scientific method as a

source of human understanding

Can you remember???

• What experiments have you done in Science subjects since S1?

Magnesium

• Does anyone know where the word science comes from?

Science: Context• Science is from the Latin “scientia”, which

simply means knowledge

Science: Context• Science is from the Latin “scientia”, which

means knowledge

• The scientific method was first developed by Francis Bacon in the 17th Century

Francis Bacon

This outfit is nothing

compared to my curtains

• In his writings he proposed a theory of scientific knowledge based on observation and experiment that came to be known as the inductive method.

The Inductive Method

• The inductive method (also known as induction) is a type of reasoning that involves moving from a set of specific facts to a general conclusion.

The Inductive Method

• The inductive method (also known as induction) is a type of reasoning that involves moving from a set of specific facts to a general conclusion.

...for example...

The Inductive Method in Action

• 100 Dumbarton Academy pupils burned magnesium in a science experiment and it burned brightly. Therefore, all magnesium burns brightly

The Inductive Method in Action

• All ice I have ever touched has been cold. Therefore all ice is cold

The Inductive Method in Action

• One hundred snooker balls were struck with a cue, all of them moved. Therefore all snooker balls will move when struck with a cue

The Inductive Method

• The Inductive Method involves moving from a set of specific facts to a general conclusion

Specific Fact General Conclusion

100 Dumbarton pupils burned magnesium in a science experiment and it burned brightly.

Magnesium burns brightly

The Inductive Method

• The Inductive Method involves moving from a set of specific facts to a general conclusion

Specific Fact General Conclusion

All ice I have ever touched has

been cold

Ice is cold.

The Inductive Method

• The Inductive Method involves moving from a set of specific facts to a general conclusion

Specific Facts General Conclusion

One hundred snooker balls were struck with a cue, all of them moved.

Snooker balls will move

when struck with a cue

He demanded a planned procedure of investigating all things

natural

Francis Bacon is considered to

be the pioneer of what is known

as the scientific method

He had a religious faith but never

felt there was a clash between

science and religion

• So what exactly is this scientific method?

The Scientific Method

1. Observation2. Hypothesis3. Experiment4. Deduction5. Verification

The 5 Stages

The Scientific Method

1. Observation2. Hypothesis3. Experiment4. Deduction5. Verification

The 5 Stages

Look familiar??

Stage 1: ObservationStage 1 begins with

finding something in nature that you want to find an answer to.

Observation involves collecting information and data

Stage 2: HypothesisStage 2 involves making

an educated guess as to what may happen with your observations.

A hypothesis is when you 'predict' what may happen

Stage 3: ExperimentStage 3 is to have a controlled experiment which

will put your hypothesis to the test

Stage 4: DeductionStage 4 involves making

an informed judgement based on the results of your experiment.

The hypothesis is reviewed and a theory is developed

Stage 5: VerificationIn Stage 5, the results from the experiment may

support the hypothesis, which then becomes verified.

Or your hypothesis is proved to be false, in which case you start again.

Stage 5: Verification

Verification: confirmed as accurate or true by acceptable evidence

Falsification: to disprove a theory

The 5 Stages1. Observation2. Hypothesis3. Experiment4. Deduction5. Verification

Science: Further Info• Science cannot provide certain (100%) proof –

just the ‘best’ working theories based on the evidence that we have

Science: Further Info• Science cannot provide certain (100%) proof –

just the ‘best’ working theories based on the evidence that we have

• It is a trial and error process

Science: Further Info• Science cannot provide certain (100%) proof –

just the ‘best’ working theories based on the evidence that we have

• It is a trial and error process• Science allows us to systematically examine the

processes behind the natural world, and make predictions and laws regarding these.

Science: Further Info• Science cannot provide certain (100%) proof –

just the ‘best’ working theories based on the evidence that we have

• It is a trial and error process• Science allows us to systematically examine the

processes behind the natural world, and make predictions and laws regarding these.

• Science is a method used to understand the world, not a mountain of ‘facts’

The Scientific Method1. Observation2. Hypothesis3. Experiment4. Deduction5. Verification

Science is a method used to understand the world, not a mountain of ‘facts’

• Read and complete p54 of the Purple book