Using the Scientific Method
to study Marine Mammals
In almost every set of science standards, state, local, or national, students are encouraged to
- engage in experiential and active learning
- communicate and collaborate
- make connections within mathematics, science, other disciplines and the world outside of school
- use technology to enhance learning
- use a variety of instructional resources
Both the library and the World Wide Web are valuable resources for follow-up investigation.
In addition, the scientists themselves or the communications offices of research
institutions or the education departments at aquariums often welcome thoughtful
inquiries from young people. Rather than ask a general question such as
"Please send me everything you have on whales," students should pose
specific questions, such as, "What new research techniques have been invented
to help us understand whale sounds?"
Whatever and wherever they are studying, all scientists use
the scientific method in their
investigations:
- observing
- formulating a hypothesis (an educated guess)
- gathering and recording data to test that hypothesis
- analyzing
- drawing a conclusion.
It's not a neat, step-by-step process, because at any point along the way a scientist
may retrace a step or branch off in a new direction.
Scientists ask certain questions in order to achieve a basic understanding of a species,
an ecosystem, or other aspect of the natural world. This is
basicscience. Often
its purpose is to collect baseline data about an organism or habitat so that should
conditions change (often due to human intervention) scientists will know what "normal"
conditions would be. Other research projects seek to find a way to apply scientific
knowledge to solve a problem, such as how can certain marine animals help us find
a cure for cancer. This is applied research. Scientists need to examine both kinds
of questions in order to make sense of our world and to figure out strategies
for protecting it.
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