Scientific Method and Hypothesis Testing

The video introduces biology as a scientific study of life, emphasizing the scientific method as a systematic way of inquiry. It explains the steps of the scientific method, including observation, hypothesis formation, predictions, and experiments. Examples, such as a flashlight not working and fish die-offs, illustrate the method's application. The video concludes by discussing the limits of the scientific method, noting it cannot address moral judgments, faith-based beliefs, or aesthetic values.

What is the primary focus of biology as a science?

• The study of celestial bodies

• The study of physical laws

• The study of chemical reactions

• The study of life

Which of the following is the first step in the scientific method?

• Conducting an experiment

• Making an observation

• Drawing a conclusion

• Forming a hypothesis

What role do specialized detection equipment play in scientific observation?

• They are used only in chemistry

• They extend our senses beyond normal capabilities

• They replace the need for human senses

• They are unnecessary in modern science

How is a hypothesis best described?

• An educated guess based on existing knowledge

• A proven fact

• A philosophical idea

• A random guess

What is the purpose of making predictions in the scientific method?

• To confuse the experimenter

• To test the hypothesis through experiments

• To finalize the scientific study

• To avoid conducting experiments

What happens if an experiment does not support the prediction?

• The hypothesis is immediately discarded

• The hypothesis is revised based on new information

• The experiment is considered a failure

• The results are ignored

In the flashlight example, what was the initial hypothesis?

• The flashlight is broken

• The switch is faulty

• The batteries are dead

• The bulb is missing

What was the conclusion of Dr. Burkholder's research on fish die-offs?

• Pollution was the cause

• Birds were responsible

• Insect parasites were to blame

• Protists were causing the die-offs

Which of the following is NOT a limitation of the scientific method?

• Studying observable and repeatable phenomena

• Determining personal aesthetic values

• Proving faith-based beliefs

• Making moral judgments

Why can't science determine if a picture is beautiful?

• Because pictures are not scientific

• Because science lacks the tools

• Because beauty is subjective and personal

• Because beauty is a moral issue