Brandon’s Matrix: a view on scientific methods in biology classrooms

Cullinane, A; Ioannidou, O; Erduran, S

Book section : Chapter

Brandon’s Matrix: a view on scientific methods in biology classrooms

Abstract:: Many biology textbooks open with a section on the scientific method, and usually laboratory activities involve a stepwise procedure that is followed in a formulaic fashion Although there are many accounts of the scientific method in biology, they are often problematic as they are not comprehensive in showing the diversity of scientific methods. To solve some tensions regarding the definition of the scientific methods in biology, we introduce Brandon’s Matrix as a framework that helps show the complexity of methods as a simple two-by-two matrix. It represents the connections between experiments and observations. Brandon illustrates not all experiments rely on hypothesis testing and not all descriptive work is non-manipulative, as they rely more on a diversity of approaches including parameter measurements. According to Brandon, the nature of the investigation is related to whether or not it involves (i) manipulation and (ii) hypothesis testing or a parameter measurement. In this way, one can think in terms of experiments and non-experiments/observations relative to descriptive versus experimental methods. Hence, Brandon’s framework goes beyond the traditional limitations of the scientific method as a linear process of hypothesis testing and provides a more comprehensive, inclusive and realistic account of methods applied by biologists, for both current and historical studies. The chapter will introduce the framework and show its use in a research project with schools in England to produce resources, as well as its utility as an analytical framework for curriculum and assessment documents.

Publication status:: Published

Peer review status:: Peer reviewed

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APA Style

Cullinane, A., Ioannidou, O., & Erduran, S. (2021). Brandon’s Matrix: a view on scientific methods in biology classrooms. In T. J. J. McCloughlin (Ed.), The Nature of Science in Biology: A Resource for Educators (pp. 146–161). Graphikon Teo.

MLA Style

Cullinane, A., et al. “Brandon’s Matrix: a View on Scientific Methods in Biology Classrooms.” The Nature of Science in Biology: A Resource for Educators, edited by TJJ McCloughlin, Graphikon Teo, 2021, pp. 146–61.

Chicago Style

Cullinane, A, O Ioannidou, and S Erduran. 2021. “Brandon’s Matrix: a View on Scientific Methods in Biology Classrooms.” In The Nature of Science in Biology: A Resource for Educators, edited by TJJ McCloughlin, 146–61. Graphikon Teo.
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