University Biology Report: Microscopy and Scientific Thinking

This report examines the principles of scientific thinking and the scientific process, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based research in biology. It details the steps involved in scientific investigation, from systematic observation and data collection (both qualitative and quantitative) to hypothesis formulation, statistical analysis, and peer review. The report highlights the use of experimental designs, including independent and dependent variables, as well as the role of control groups. It then delves into the evolution of microscopy, from its early invention to the development of various types of microscopes (light, SEM, and TEM) and their applications in biological research. The report also discusses the integration of computer-based technology, molecular genetics, and medical imaging techniques (X-rays, CT scans, and MRI) in advancing biological studies and understanding the epidemiology of diseases. References to relevant literature are also provided.

Running head: MICROSCOPY AND SCIENTIFIC THINKING
MICROSCOPY AND SCIENTIFIC THINKING
Name of Student:
Name of University:
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1MICROSCOPY AND SCIENTIFIC THINKING
Scientific thinking and process
In the field of science new researches are taking place by the scientist which requires
evidence to make the finding authentic. Thus, it is the way of thinking, questioning and gathering
evidence. New advance in technology, has developed new way of conducting research. The
scientific investigation initiates with the systematic observation, which is recorded in the form of
qualitative and quantitative data. The qualitative data is based on description of an incident like
smell or sounds, however quantitative data are measurable like mass and volume (Mihas 2019).
The researcher conducted a study by forming hypothesis by use of data collected and
previous finding. Hypothesis is anticipated answer for the research question. The proposed
hypothesis needs to be specific and testable (Blaikie and Priest 2019). The data collected are
analyzed by use of statistic in order to test the hypothesis which could lead to two possible
outcomes, the nonsignificant and significant. If data does not the support the hypothesis, the
research is not accepted. Peer reviewing of journals is the other way to evaluate the result and
conclusion by analysis of the data.
In an experimental research, the researchers’ study two factors known as independent and
dependent variables. Independent variables can be manipulated and dependent variables are
measureable. Additionally, in experiment there are some conditions that do not change which is
known as constants (Wicherts et al. 2016). In experiments, researcher uses control groups
which is tested in the same way as the experimental subject, to analyses the finding.
Biologist tool and technology
In 1600s, microscope was invented which led to the discovery of single cell. It is the
instrument that used to observe the magnified image of an object with use of lens. There are

2MICROSCOPY AND SCIENTIFIC THINKING
different types of microscope developed based on the magnification power. For example, light
microscope used to see 1500-time large image whereas electron microscope observes object
100,000 times large (Lee et al. 2018). They are of two types of electron microscope, scanning
electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). SEM scan the outer
surface of specimen whereas TEM gives two-dimensional image.
Figure: compound microscope
Source: (Lee et al. 2018)
The imaging technology is not limited to microscopy, in medical imaging, health care
professional uses X ray, CT scan and MRI to take image of the internal organs, tissue like
tendon and cartilage. It is used to diagnose the disease and functioning of the body (Haleem and
Javaid 2018).

3MICROSCOPY AND SCIENTIFIC THINKING
Figure: scanning electron microscopy
Source: (Lee et al. 2018)
The use of computer-based technology has widened biological research. It is used to
model the living organism and explore the epidemiology of disease. The tool of molecular
genetic has also given new insight to biological studies. Gene is the segment of DNA which have
genetic information and its understanding has explored new invention and in the field of
molecular genetics (Ellenberg et al. 2018). The combination of the information technology and
molecular genetic has led to the discovery of human genomic, moreover the comparison of DNA
of different species and genus has given new insight about evolution. The information regarding
it are stored in the computer database and data mining is done to find the pattern and similarity of
different molecules in the biological data.

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Reference
Blaikie, N. and Priest, J., 2019. Designing social research: The logic of anticipation. John Wiley
& Sons.
Ellenberg, J., Swedlow, J.R., Barlow, M., Cook, C.E., Sarkans, U., Patwardhan, A., Brazma, A.
and Birney, E., 2018. A call for public archives for biological image data. Nature
methods, 15(11), p.849.
Haleem, A. and Javaid, M., 2018. Role of CT and MRI in the design and development of
orthopaedic model using additive manufacturing. Journal of clinical orthopaedics and
trauma, 9(3), pp.213-217.
Lee, D.H., Li, X., Ma, N., Digman, M.A. and Lee, A.P., 2018. Rapid and label-free identification
of single leukemia cells from blood in a high-density microfluidic trapping array by fluorescence
lifetime imaging microscopy. Lab on a Chip, 18(9), pp.1349-1358.
Mihas, P., 2019. Qualitative data analysis. In Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education.
Wicherts, J.M., Veldkamp, C.L., Augusteijn, H.E., Bakker, M., Van Aert, R. and Van Assen,
M.A., 2016. Degrees of freedom in planning, running, analyzing, and reporting psychological
studies: A checklist to avoid p-hacking. Frontiers in psychology, 7, p.1832.