Sasha Kyle

April 11, 2018

Anthropology 1020

Signature Assignment Reflection

1. What is the scientific method, what is empirical evidence (i.e. data) and what are their strengths?
The scientific method is a series of steps for investigating some phenomenon. The steps are as
follows: Number 1, ask a question. This question can be about anything and is not limited to any one
particular thing. Number 2, research. This is where a more in depth look at the topic comes from.
Knowing what it is and how it works. Number 3 form a hypothesis. A hypothesis is simply an
educated guess. When the information is presented a hypothesis is formed as to what is going to
happen. Number 4, conduct an experiment. This means the hypothesis is put to the test by doing
something. This can be a hands on experiment or an observation. Number 5, analyze the data.
When the experiment is done, the results are often compiled into a graph or chart. Number 6,
conclusion. This is where the hypothesis is going to be accepted or rejected. One of the strengths
this method has is that it’s very straightforward as to how it’s done and can be applied to a wide
variety of things.
2. What are the strengths and weakness of your Natural Selection Lab Report and Analysis of
Scientific Research?
The natural selection lab report was somewhat of a challenge mainly because it was the first piece
of our signature assignment. New material combined with a new expectations made it more
complicated to put together. Some of the strengths it had was both the data it had and the
background information into the experiment itself. The experiment was done in class so the data
was gathered as a class. Giving the audience the necessary background information really
strengthened the overall feel of the paper. The lab report overall was a success although some
aspects of it were not as good as others such as combining all the different parts to make on
cohesive unit. To me the paper seemed a little choppy and pieced together. It seemed to be lacking
a certain flow, but other than that it went fairly well. Our other piece to the eportfolio assignment
was analyzing a research article. We had to break down someone else’s work into different parts
and explain how they used the scientific method. This was a challenge to me because finding the
right article took a while. Once I found the article it was still challenging to make sense of what the
author was trying to say. That was one of the weaknesses of that paper, because it also seemed
very incoherent. One of the positive things I liked about that paper was the fact I was able to extract
the necessary information form the article.
3. What did you learn about the scientific method during this course?
The scientific method has definitely been a reoccurring topic throughout this class and semester.
Going back to our very first lab, the one I mentioned earlier we jumped right in and used the
scientific method. As we learned more throughout the semester the scientific method was always
an underlying theme that was present. I learned that many different things rely on using this
method, whether It be conducting an experiment yourself or looking at someone else’s research and
being able to recognize the steps.
4. What are some ways you might use the scientific method outside of this course?
 The scientific method has been a theme in our Anthropology class but that isn’t the only place that
you can find it helpful. I stated in my Natural Selection Lab Report that you can use the scientific
method in everyday settings. The example I used was whenever we are faced with a problem. It
doesn’t matter what the problem may be we may some sort of observation about before we tackle
it or conduct an experiment. We make guesses on how things will turn out if we approach it one
way rather than another. Afterwards we look back on it and draw conclusions, wondering what
would be different if we had tried it a different way. While this doesn’t seem like the standard way
of using the scientific method, the steps, in most ways are the same.
5. What is the theory of evolution? What are some of the different evolutionary forces? What are
some of the different evolutionary patterns?
Human evolution is another topic discussed throughout the entire semester, in fact it’s basically the
entire course. From this class I learned that the theory of evolution is simply modern humans
evolved from a common ape like ancestor. Some of the different evolutionary forces are natural
selection which is over time favorable variations in a population increase in frequency. Another is
mutation which is a change in the genetic code. Genetic Drift is another evolutionary force and that
is when there are changes in allele frequencies due to chance. Evolutionary patterns are another
factor to consider. Anagenesis is the transformation of an entire species over time. Cladogenesis is
called branching evolution. Over time a population can branch apart, often caused by changes in the
landscape or environment meaning those two parties are now geographically separated. Now
reproductive isolation comes into play and there is no longer any gene flow, or the movement of
genes between populations. Over time this creates a genetic divergence ultimately leading to two
species.
6. How does the study of evolution use the scientific method?
The purpose of the scientific method is to test and accept or reject current hypotheses I feel as our
understanding of evolution grows we will continue to test previously accepted hypotheses. I feel
the scientific method can be applied when a fossil is found. Observations are made about it,
hypothesis are formed as to what it is, testing is done and conclusions are made to classify it what
researchers feel it is.
7. What questions do you still have about the theory of human evolution?
I think taking this course has answered most of the questions I had about the theory evolution. One
of my favorite about taking this course is that moment where everything made sense. I went
through the class learning different pieces but it wasn’t until I connected the pieces did I realize that
everything we’ve been learning coincides with one another. It’s as if we zoomed out on the bigger
picture and saw how everything fit together.