Biological Method

Definition:

“The scientific method used to solve biological problems is called the biological method.”

“The scientific method in which biological problems are solved is called the biological method.”

Different Steps of Solving Biological Problems:

In order to resolve a specific biological problem, biologists take the following steps.

Observation.
Hypothesis.
Deduction.
Experimentation.
Result.
Law or Theory.

Observation:

The first step is to observe the problem and formulate a question about what has been observed. Thus,

“An observation is a statement of knowledge gained through the senses (qualitative) or through the use of scientific equipment (quantitative).”

For example, in 1880, a French physician named LAVERAN studied a blood sample of a malaria patient under a microscope and observed tiny creatures in it, whom he named Plasmodium.

“So the observation was made that Plasmodium is present in the blood of malaria patients.”

Hypothesis:

“The intelligent guess made by a scientist in the form of a statement.” is called a hypothesis. For example, in the case of malaria, a hypothesis might be that Plasmodium is the cause of the disease.

Reasoning:

Biologists collect information about the problem and formulate the hypothesis by using a reasoning process i.e.

Inductive reasoning
Deductive reasoning.

a) Inductive reasoning: moves from specific to general e.g., Shark is a fish. All fishes have scales therefore sharks also have scales.
b) Deductive reasoning: moves from general to specific. It is based on “if then” statement. Deductive reasoning can be tested and verified by experiments. For Example: In malaria case, the following deduction is made:

“If Plasmodium is the cause of malaria, then all the malaria patient should have Plasmodium in their blood”

Experiments:

Experiments are designed to test the deduction. Biologists perform experiments to test the hypothesis and see if it is true or not.

Result:

The results include all observations and data made during the experiment. Results are used to confirm or reject the hypothesis.

Law or Theory:

A theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that is based on a large body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experimentation.

Importance of Data Organization and Data Analysis in Biological Method

Data:

Data can be defined as a single piece of information such as names, dates or values made from observations and experiments.

Data Organization:

In order to formulate and then to test the hypothesis, scientists collect and organize data. Prior to conducting an experiment, it is important for a scientist to document the collection methods. Data is organized in different formats like graphics, tables, flowcharts, maps and diagrams.

Data Analysis:

Data analysis is necessary to prove or disprove a hypothesis by experimentation. It is done through the application of statistical methods.