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Chapter 2: Scientific Processes

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1. Key Terms and Concepts

Observation — The process of gathering information about the world using the senses or instruments.

Measurement — The process of determining the size, quantity or degree of something using standard units.

SI units — The International System of Units, the standard system of measurement used by scientists worldwide.

Hypothesis — An intelligent, testable guess or suggested explanation for an observation or problem.

Experiment — A scientific procedure carried out under controlled conditions to test a hypothesis.

Variable — A factor or condition that can change or be changed in an experiment.

Independent variable — The factor that the scientist deliberately changes or manipulates.

Dependent variable — The factor that is measured or observed; it responds to changes in the independent variable.

Controlled variable — Factors that are kept constant so they do not affect the results.

Scientific method — A systematic series of steps used by scientists to investigate questions and solve problems.

2. Observation (Free full subtopic)

Observation is one of the most important methods of studying Biology (the study of life).
Through observation we can study living things in many different ways.
One basic way is by using our sense organs.

The Five Sense Organs

Eyes (sight)
Ears (hearing)
Skin (touch / feeling)
Nose (smell)
Tongue (taste)

Example: Observing a coconut using the senses

It is round → by seeing
It contains a liquid → by hearing the sound when shaken
It has a rough husk → by touching
It has a pleasant smell → by smelling (after breaking)
It has a sweet taste → by tasting (after breaking)

Importance of sense organs in everyday life

Seeing dark clouds tells us it is likely to rain.
Hearing the school bell tells us it is time for the next activity.
Smelling a perfume helps us decide if we like it.
Feeling heat from a fire warns us to move away.
Tasting food while cooking helps us know if it is delicious.

Limitations of observations made with the senses

Sensory observations are often subjective — they depend on a person’s opinions, interests or situation rather than exact facts.
Example: One person may feel a bowl of water as lukewarm, another as warm, and a third as hot.
Because of this, scientists prefer to use standard units of measurement that remain constant everywhere.

Spotlight

Qualitative observations describe qualities (colour, smell, texture) without numbers. Quantitative observations use numbers and units (e.g. “the leaf is 12 cm long”). Scientists prefer quantitative observations because they are more precise and can be compared easily.

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3. Measurements (SI units, mass, length, temperature, instruments)
4. The Scientific Method (7 steps, variables, control experiments, earthworm example)
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