The description of the steps involved in the scientific method
Science can be defined as a systematic approach to acquiring knowledge. Science is based upon facts and evidence rather than beliefs or superstitions. To understand Biology and science, you must first examine how scientific knowledge is obtained. Science is a process that involves several steps. Read the description of the steps involved in the scientific method in the text paying close attention to the steps outlined in Section 1.3. Then pick one of the examples below and describe the steps of the scientific method you would use to test the question or find the solution to the problem. In other words, please design a virtual experiment (using the steps of the scientific prediction, experiment/test, controls, results, conclusions).
Will chilling an onion before cutting it keep you from crying?
If you shake up different kinds or brands of soft drinks (e.g., carbonated), will they all spew the same amount?
Do all breakfast cereals that say they have 100% of the U.S. recommended daily allowance (RDA) for iron really have the same amount?
Are all potato chips equally greasy (you can crush them to get uniform samples and look at the diameter of a grease spot on brown paper)? Is greasiness different if different oils are used (e.g., peanut versus soybean)?
Does eating breakfast have an effect on school performance?
Do the same types of mold grow on all types of bread?
Does increasing the ethylene concentration ripen fruit more quickly?
Can you use a household water filter to remove flavor or color from other liquids?
Does the power of a microwave affect how well it makes popcorn?
Can you tell/taste the difference between ground beef, chuck, and round after they have been cooked?
Sample Solution
Question: Are all potato chips equally greasy (you can crush them to get uniform samples and look at the diameter of a grease spot on brown paper)? Is greasiness different if different oils are used (e.g., peanut versus soybean)?
Steps of the Scientific Method:
Prediction: Potato chips fried in different oils will have varying levels of greasiness.
Experiment/Test: Gather multiple brands of potato chips and fry each type with either peanut oil or soybean oil, ensuring that only one variable is changed between batches. Crush each batch into small pieces then place it onto a piece of brown paper, taking note the diameter of the grease stain left behind by each batch.
Controls: Use multiple batches for each kind, frying them in the same oil several times over to ensure accuracy and consistency; use fresh oil for every batch; use identical amounts and sizes of potatoes when frying; also fry similar looking samples using just vegetable or sunflower oil for comparison purposes.
Results: Measure and compare the diameters of grease spots from each sample made with either peanut or soybean oil, taking note any discrepancies between batches.
Conclusion: Based on data collected during experiment, conclude whether greasiness levels vary significantly depending on which type of cooking oil was used to prepare the chips or not.