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Psychics & Scientists
Research makes it happen

Scenario: A series of short scenarios will center on measurement of psychic phenomena, a faculty research question, a breath holding experiment, analysis of class score data, and answer the question "What is a theory?"

Concepts Taught:

• The Nature of Science
• Observation
• Hypothesis
• Predictions
• Controlled Experiment
• Correlational/Observational/Descriptive Experiment
• Statistics
• Data support or fail to support hypothesis
• Theory

Concept Map: 

  1. entire scenario

Examples of in-class discussion/thought questions:

•  Do you or don't you believe that there are psychics with the ability to read minds and predict the future?
• How does hyperventilation affect one's ability to hold one's breath?
• What should faculty members consider when looking for factors that affect student performance?

Think about what you learned from the Psychic Experiment

From your reading of Chapter 1 in Lewis:

What example experiments are in the chapter?

• What does each of these experiments illustrate about the way science is performed (the process of science, not the resulting facts)? 

From the Class Score Data

• How can you organize the data so that they provide you with useful information?
• How can you analyze the data?
• What other questions do the data lead you to?

Major Terms Introduced:

Related Laboratory Experiments and Tutorials:

Lab 1:
Why are larger individuals of a particular species eaten more frequently than smaller ones?

Text Readings:

Click here for Text Readings!

Essential Study Partner (ESP):

There are no related topics in the ESP for this scenario.

Tutorials:

"Scientifc Method - An Induction Fable"

Think about what you learned from the Psychic Experiment

From your reading of Chapter 1 in Lewis:

What example experiments are in the chapter?

• What does each of these experiments illustrate about the way science is performed (the process of science, not the resulting facts)? 

From the Class Score Data

• How can you organize the data so that they provide you with useful information?
• How can you analyze the data?
• What other questions do the data lead you to?

Useful sites:

source	The site for your textbook Life by Ricki Lewis.
	What research is going on in Zoology at OSU? Check this out!
source	FAQ about Vitamin O Take a look at the claims for this product. How would you judge it? Is it effective? Worth the money? What evidence would you use to decide?
source	"Virus Explained" - The author of the site claims that viruses do not cause diseases - How would you judge his arguments? What evidence does he present? What evidence can you find to refute this? What statements provide you with insight into the authors thoughts and motivations? How would you explain this to a friend or relative who asks you about it?
source	The Scientific Method Here is an exercise and introduction to scientific method from the BIO 104 course at Clermont College taught by J. Stein Carter. Starting with observations, she takes you through an exercise that helps you understand what you need to do to be a successful experimenter.
source	Philosophy of Science & Information Technology: @Brint.com (tm) This site has a series of on-line articles dealing with the history and philosphy of science, inspired by the work of Thomas Kuhn, an extremely influential philospher who introduced the concept of Paradigm Shift to modern science and has played a major role in getting scientists and philosphers alike to discuss sceience as a way of knowing. The articles are dense.
source	Scientific Method and Philosophy of Science Contains recomended readings on scientific method and the philosophy of science.
source	The Myth of the Magical Scientific Method The procedure that gets taught as "The Scientific Method" is entirely misleading. Studying what scientists actually do is far more interesting.

Textbook Flashcards

The website for your textbook has flashcards organised by chapters. You are only responsible for topics discussed in class. For this scenario, flashcards with the Major Terms Introduced can be found in:

Chapter 1: What is life? - How Do Scientists Study the Natural World?

Bibliography:

1. Lewis, R. 2007. Life. 6th Edition. WCB/McGraw-Hill: NY.
2. French, D. 1998. Investigating Biology; A Laboratory Resource Manual. Harcourt Brace: NY.
3. Lawson, A. 1995. Studying for Biology. Benjamin/Cummings: NY.
4. Breakwell, D.P. and A.R. Stevens. 1998. Student Study Guide to Accompany Life 3^rd Edition by R. Lewis. WCB/McGraw-Hill: NY.