Tuesday , Jan. 6 - Introduction to the Scientific Method

What is the scientific method?

Scientists use a process called the "Scientific Method" to advance their knowledge and understanding. Essentially it is a step-by-step process to help scientists conduct experiments while trying to limit observer bias.

We will be learning about the scientific method over the next few weeks - starting with cancer research.

Questions to think about as we watch videos about finding ways to cure cancer:

1. How did Sidney Farber approach the treatment of cancer differently than other doctors at that time?
2. How did Sidney Farber’s experiment change the course of cancer research?
3. Why were Sydney Farber’s trials considered progress in cancer treatment even though the children did not survive?
4. What does Dr. Bernard Fisher mean when he states that the radical mastectomy became a dogma?
5. What is the difference between a localized and a systemic disease?
6. How did the women’s movement in the 1970s contribute to Bernard Fisher’s research?
7. Why was the discovery of the human oncogene so important?
8. In the clip about Robert Weinberg, Siddhartha Mukherjee mentions the blind men and the elephant. Research this folktale and describe how it relates to cancer research.