Define: biology, part 1 - the Scientific Method

While I work in training, my educational background is in Biology. Yes, once upon a time, I was a dedicated scientist who knew how to dissect organisms, identify parasites under the microscope, name corals while walking at the beach, and lure wasps into a test tube while feeding it with honey-water.

Biology is one huge never-ending practice of the Scientific Method. We're constantly in the lab doing whatever kind of experiment of the moment. While it may have the reputation for being a method you can only use in science-related experimentation (I can't be sure, but it may be because of the words "method" and "science" used in the same breath), it's actually grounded on simple tasks of problem-solving, that can be adapted in any and most situations.

For instance, it can act as a guide or workflow when you need to create a new training material.

• Identify the problem. Why is there a need for training? What gaps can be addressed by training?
• Formulate the hypothesis/es. Find out what causes the gaps to understand how to address them.
• Formulate the test predictions. Write the learning outcomes you predict will happen after learners complete the training.
• Review the related literature. What existing materials, references and resources are out there? Sift through these to see what else needs to be developed.
• Design the methodology. Outline the lessons, activities and materials that need to be developed in order for the learning outcomes to be met. Then start crackin' at development.
• Test. As with any system that is born out of design, a course needs to be tested for errors in functionality and accuracy of content. It undergoes rigorous feedback and back and forth testing to make sure it's sound for use.
• Analyse the results. Once the training goes live, and even before it does, constant evaluation is important to make sure it addresses the learning outcomes.
• Make your conclusion. Of course, after everything, you need to conclude something. The difference in scientific experimentation is that after testing, you get to conclude if your hypothesis and predictions are correct or not. In training, the conclusion should be the positive, that the training was able to address the problem. Because if it didn't, maybe you identified the wrong problem in the first place, or maybe it was something that training is not needed for.

So, what does Biology have to do with training? or with office work, for that matter? I get asked that question often, and my answer is always the same: a lot. There's so much that Biology taught me that is beyond memorization of terms, computation of energy and cutting up organisms.

Learning is never really wasted. The secret is recognizing the underlying principles and adapting them to daily life.

This site gives good info on how we used to decide on things without experimentation.