Introduction to Biology: Observations and Hypotheses

Hypothesis-Driven Science

In contrast, hypothesis-driven science involves constructing a specific, testable explanation for a phenomenon based on a set of observations. After testing this explanation, conclusions can be drawn depending on whether the results you obtained support or refute the explanation. Hypothesis-driven science typically follows a series of steps called the scientific methodA systematic approach to investigation using hypothesis testing.. The scientific method consists of a loose set of guidelines for discovery. It is intended to lead a scientist from an observation to an explanation.  This is the method that we will employ in the labs.  Before beginning a lab, you must do some reading or research. This work allows you to collect observations. It also helps you form a hypothesis.  Then, you will test that hypothesis in the lab activity.  It’s important to do this and have a clear direction in testing a hypothesis.  This is like organizing the school children into lines before they go onto the playground. Otherwise, everyone would be running out there, screaming at the top of their lungs.  It’s the process, not the outcome, that designates your labs as science.

Making Observations

Ever see these things? Peeps?  Just a sugary marshmallow.  My mother loved these things.    Observation is noting a factA statement based on direct observation that is repeatedly confirmed. or occurrence in the natural world. You notice that, here in northeast America, peeps become very abundant every year around April. They then taper off and reappear again in October.  This first observation doesn’t really lead you to a hypothesis.  It takes more than that.  More observations, called research are needed.  You include research from the natural world. Some animals reproduce annually. Their populations will show an increase in number if counted.  Observations typically lead to a hypothesis, in this case, “Peeps have an annual breeding cycle that corresponds to temperature.”  Note how the hypothesis is a statement, not a question.  Also, the hypothesis has an expectation.  It doesn’t say: The experiment will explore the breeding cycle and temperature.  The hypothesis makes a prediction.  Remember we are not running screaming out onto the playground, we have direction.

Proposing a Hypothesis

A hypothesis is a testable explanation for an observation.  It’s important to note that a hypothesis is not a shot in the dark, but based on prior knowledge. Hypotheses are stated clearly as a statement: Peeps breed more with an increased temperature.  This leads to a prediction. If I go to a local peep breeding ground, I will see an increase in the peep population. This will happen as it gets warmer in the Spring. It’s important to remember that a hypothesis has to be testable.  This can be tough when we are considering the natural world.  Yes.  This is why hypothesis-driven science usually takes place in the lab.  These investigations have to be controlled or managed carefully to proceed correctly.  This is hypothesis-driven science.  This is what we do in this class.  I love you. I’m so happy you took my class. However, I have to tell you that we will not do groundbreaking work here in a General Biology lab.  We will test things already known. 

I want to bring up something really important here.  Hypotheses don’t have to be correct.  In fact, in this class you will often have a wrong hypothesis.  It’s OK.  What is important is your ability to know if your results support your hypothesis or not.  If that data doesn’t support why you thought, that is perfectly OK.  Your hypothesis isn’t a shot in the dark, it is based on research but your experiment is only one test.