The Comparative Method, Hypothesis Testing & Phylogenetic Analysis – An Introductory Laboratory

Abstract

extbook discussions of scientific methodology often focus almost exclusively upon controlled experiments, but biologists also use many non-experimental techniques for testing hypotheses. Particularly important are the comparative methods developed for phylogenetic analysis by biologists who study systematics. Today, these comparative methods can be applied at multiple levels of organization from behavior and ecology, to more traditional levels of gross anatomy and development, and downward to information carrying macromolecules (DNA, RNA and proteins). Phylogenetic analysis is important not only for evolutionary biology, but also for applied fields of biology from conservation to medicine (Harvey et al. 1996). Because such analyses have become so fundamental to modern biology, we feel that all students majors and nonmajors should have a basic understanding of them. Practicing phylogenetic analysis can also strengthen students' logical and mathematical abilities (Bilardello & Valdes 1998), and their general problem-posing and problem-solving skills.

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