tools of environmental scientist chapter 2. scire (latin) to know what is science?

Tools of Environmental Tools of Environmental ScientistScientist

Chapter 2Chapter 2

Scire (latin) Scire (latin) to knowto know

What is Science?What is Science?

1.1.A body of collected infoA body of collected info

2.2.A human activity with A human activity with the goal of discovering the goal of discovering the how nature works. the how nature works.

What is science?What is science?

The Experimental MethodThe Experimental Method

Observation is a piece of information we Observation is a piece of information we gather using our senses.gather using our senses.

Observations are usually the first step in Observations are usually the first step in science.science.

Fact- A close agreement by competent Fact- A close agreement by competent observers on a series of observations of the observers on a series of observations of the same phenomena.same phenomena.

Scientific facts change over time as new Scientific facts change over time as new information and technology become information and technology become available.available.


Hypothesis- A testable explanation for an Hypothesis- A testable explanation for an observation.observation.

A hypothesis is more than just a guess. It should A hypothesis is more than just a guess. It should make logical sense from what you already know make logical sense from what you already know about the situation.about the situation.


Prediction- a logical explanation about what Prediction- a logical explanation about what will happen if the hypothesis is correct.will happen if the hypothesis is correct.


ExperimentationExperimentation

Experiment- is a procedure designed to test Experiment- is a procedure designed to test a hypothesis under controlled conditionsa hypothesis under controlled conditions

Variable- is the factor of interest. It is the Variable- is the factor of interest. It is the thingthing that will change in the experiment. that will change in the experiment.

Experimental group- Is the group in the Experimental group- Is the group in the experiment that will experience the experiment that will experience the experimental change.experimental change.

Control group- is the group that does not Control group- is the group that does not receive any change.receive any change.


Independent variable- changed variableIndependent variable- changed variable

Dependent variable- measured variableDependent variable- measured variable

If an experiment was run to test to see if mussels will If an experiment was run to test to see if mussels will die if exposed to high levels of phosphate in the die if exposed to high levels of phosphate in the water, one set of mussels would be grown in a tank water, one set of mussels would be grown in a tank with high levels of phosphate and one group would be with high levels of phosphate and one group would be grown in a tank with normal levels. Which group is grown in a tank with normal levels. Which group is the control group? Which is the experimental group? the control group? Which is the experimental group? What are the Independent and dependent variables?What are the Independent and dependent variables?


Not all experiments are controlled.Not all experiments are controlled.

Environmental science has to look at many Environmental science has to look at many situations that are not in controlled situations that are not in controlled environments like a laboratory.environments like a laboratory.


Organizing and Analyzing DataOrganizing and Analyzing Data

Data- information that a scientist gathers Data- information that a scientist gathers during an experiment.during an experiment.

Data is typically organized into tables and Data is typically organized into tables and graphs so that it can be easily understoodgraphs so that it can be easily understood

Other parts to the Experimental Other parts to the Experimental MethodMethod

Drawing conclusions- scientist compare the Drawing conclusions- scientist compare the outcome of their data to their original prediction.outcome of their data to their original prediction.

Repeating experiments- experiments that can be Repeating experiments- experiments that can be repeated with the same results by different people repeated with the same results by different people in different places are more valid.in different places are more valid.

Communicating results- scientist publish their Communicating results- scientist publish their results to show others what has been learned.results to show others what has been learned.

Correlation MethodCorrelation Method

When using an experiment to answer a When using an experiment to answer a question is impossible or unethical scientist question is impossible or unethical scientist use the correlation method. use the correlation method.

Correlations do not always prove cause and Correlations do not always prove cause and effect relationships. effect relationships.

Scientific Habits of MindScientific Habits of Mind

CuriosityCuriosity SkepticismSkepticism Openness to new ideasOpenness to new ideas Intellectual honestyIntellectual honesty Imagination and creativityImagination and creativity

Law- A hypothesis that has been rigorously Law- A hypothesis that has been rigorously tested and has not been contradicted. tested and has not been contradicted. Explains what will happen but not why.Explains what will happen but not why.

Theory- A logical explanation for events that Theory- A logical explanation for events that occur in nature. Includes laws and occur in nature. Includes laws and hypotheses. Explains the why something hypotheses. Explains the why something happens.happens.

Scientific Ideas Scientific Ideas

Statistics and ModelsStatistics and Models

Statistics is the collection and classification Statistics is the collection and classification of data in the form of numbers.of data in the form of numbers.

Used to summarize, characterize, analyze, Used to summarize, characterize, analyze, and compare data.and compare data.


Mean- (average) is the Mean- (average) is the number obtained by number obtained by adding up the data for a adding up the data for a given characteristic and given characteristic and dividing this sum y the dividing this sum y the number of individuals.number of individuals.

Distribution- the relative Distribution- the relative arrangement of the arrangement of the members of a statistical members of a statistical population.population.


Probability- the chance something will Probability- the chance something will happen.happen.

Sample- group of individuals or events Sample- group of individuals or events selected to represent the population.selected to represent the population.

The larger the sample size the more The larger the sample size the more accurate the pobability.accurate the pobability.

Models- representations of objects or Models- representations of objects or systems.systems.

Physical model- three-deminsional models Physical model- three-deminsional models that you can touch.that you can touch.


Graphical Models- maps and graphs are the Graphical Models- maps and graphs are the most common types of graphical models.most common types of graphical models.


Conceptual Models- is a Conceptual Models- is a verbal or graphical verbal or graphical representation of how a representation of how a system works or is system works or is organized.organized.


Mathematical models- is one or more Mathematical models- is one or more equations that represents the way a system equations that represents the way a system or process works. or process works.

These models are useful when many These models are useful when many variables are involved like predicting variables are involved like predicting weather. weather.

Also, known as computer models.Also, known as computer models.


Making Informed DecisionsMaking Informed Decisions

• Values-principles or Values-principles or standards we consider standards we consider important.important.

• Science is not good or badScience is not good or bad• Society decides good and Society decides good and

badbad


Decision-making Decision-making Model- Conceptual Model- Conceptual model used to help model used to help organize information to organize information to make decisions.make decisions.

tools of environmental scientist chapter 2. scire (latin) to know what is science?

Documents

experimental group

experimental change

control group

experimental methodprediction

experimental methodobservation

results scientist

classification of data

environmental science