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How can we efficiently and effectively obtain valid answers to our questions?

Learn how to effectively obtain valid answers to your questions using the method of Strong Inference. Explore examples from biology and the rules of Strong Inference. Also, discover how to test for infectious agents like Mad Cow Disease.

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How can we efficiently and effectively obtain valid answers to our questions?

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  1. How can we efficiently and effectively obtain valid answers to our questions?

  2. Start with a question. For example: How? Why? When? Where? Etc? How do we get answers? Strong Inference presents one method (article on webpage) Studying Biology:

  3. Fig 1.10 Why are giraffes' necks so long? Average feeding height

  4. The obvious or accepted answer was not the correct answer... Without alternative ideas, the answer would not have been found.

  5. Strong Inference • Knowledge is gained by eliminating incorrect ideas. • Disproof is more reliable than proof.

  6. Where does the matter come from for plants to grow? Matter can not normally be created or destroyed, only moved from one place to another.

  7. Supporting Evidence: Plants need soil to grow. If roots are removed, plants die. After several years of cultivation, soil loses its ability to support plant growth. Aristotle (~2,300 y.a.): Plants gain mass by taking it from the soil.

  8. Fig 38.1 Johann Baptista van Helmont did a simple experiment in the early 1600’s

  9. What is the major difference between these two approaches to science? Aristotle (~2,300 y.a.): Plants gain mass by taking it from the soil… Johann Baptista van Helmont in 1600’s • Supporting Evidence: • Plants need soil to grow. • If roots are removed, plants die. • After several years of cultivation, soil loses its ability to support plant growth.

  10. The Rules of Strong Inference: Strong Inference is a method for looking at scientific problems by trying to disprove hypotheses and accepting the hypotheses that can not be disproved. Using Strong Inference entails following these rules (from an article by John Platt, 1964): 1. Devise multiple hypotheses.

  11. The Rules of Strong Inference: Strong Inference is a method for looking at scientific problems by trying to disprove hypotheses and accepting the hypotheses that can not be disproved. Using Strong Inference entails following these rules (from an article by John Platt, 1964): 1. Devise multiple hypotheses. 2. Design experiment(s) to eliminate one or more of the hypotheses.

  12. The Rules of Strong Inference: 1. Devise multiple hypotheses. 2. Design experiment(s) to eliminate one or more of the hypotheses. 3. Carry out the experiments in a manner that gives a clean result.

  13. Fig 38.1 What experimental errors might this experiment have? Johann Baptista van Helmont did a simple experiment in the early 1600’s

  14. The Rules of Strong Inference: 1. Devise multiple hypotheses. 2. Design experiment(s) to eliminate one or more of the hypotheses. 3. Carry out the experiments in a manner that gives a clean result. 4. Repeat. Refine hypotheses.

  15. The Rules of Strong Inference: Strong Inference is a method for looking at scientific problems by trying to disprove hypotheses and accepting the hypotheses that can not be disproved. Using Strong Inference entails following these rules (from an article by John Platt, 1964): 1. Devise multiple hypotheses. 2. Design experiment(s) to eliminate one or more of the hypotheses. 3. Carry out the experiments in a manner that gives a clean result. 4. Repeat. Refine hypotheses.

  16. The Rules of Strong Inference: Strong Inference is a method for looking at scientific problems by trying to disprove hypotheses and accepting the hypotheses that can not be disproved. Using Strong Inference entails following these rules (from an article by John Platt, 1964): 1. Devise multiple hypotheses. 2. Design experiment(s) to eliminate one or more of the hypotheses. 3. Carry out the experiments in a manner that gives a clean result. 4. Repeat. Refine hypotheses.

  17. The Questions: • Can your hypothesis be disproved? • What experiment(s) can disprove your hypothesis?

  18. The Rules of Strong Inference: Strong Inference is a method for looking at scientific problems by trying to disprove hypotheses and accepting the hypotheses that can not be disproved. Using Strong Inference entails following these rules (from an article by John Platt, 1964): 1. Devise multiple hypotheses. 2. Design experiment(s) to eliminate one or more of the hypotheses. 3. Carry out the experiments in a manner that gives a clean result. 4. Repeat. Refine hypotheses.

  19. What causes Mad Cow Disease (aka BSE)?

  20. Brain tissue from cow with BSE. Scrapie in sheep, CJD or Kuru in humans looks similar.

  21. Is Mad Cow Disease (BSE) transmissible?

  22. How could you test for the infectious agent?

  23. Dr. Stanley Prusiner was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1997 for the discovery of prions… infectious proteins.

  24. Box 3.1 normally folded proteins Interaction between prion and normal protein causes normal protein to misfold… Prion Propogation Prion (abnormally folded protein) … which leads to increasing numbers of prions

  25. Next week: Meiosis and Genetic Diversity

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