scientific method
Post on 22-Dec-2014
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Scientific Method
How Scientists Do Science
Science is
A process of Discovery Determining Cause and
Effect
How does this work?
Watch out for BOLD vocabulary words!
Scientific Method
1. Observation – uses 5 senses, a fact
2. Inference – Why do I think (what ever I observed) happened?
3. Hypothesis – Statement of reasonable guess what happened “If….then….”
Scientific Method (cont.)
4. Controlled Experiment – way of testing the hypothesis/guess More on this….
5. Conclusion – seeing if the data from the experiment agrees with the hypothesis It’s ok if it doesn’t!
Lets put Science into Action
Observation Inference Hypothesis Controlled
Experiment Conclusion
Controlled Experiment
The heart of science Eliminates other causes so we can link a
single cause with a single event.
Controlled Experiment
Hypothesis: If the water is polluted, then the fish will die. Cause: Pollution Effect: Death
Set up 2 groups to test the hypothesis Control Group: Normal Conditions
No pollution in the water Experimental Group: Change one thing
Put pollution in the water
Controlled Experiment
Independent Variable – What have I changed? Presence or absense of pollution
Dependent Variable – What will I measure? Number of dead fish
Controlled Experiment Synonyms
Independent Variable
Manipulated Variable
Cause Ex. Pollution
Dependent Variable
Responding Variable
Effect Ex Fish Deaths
Other parts of an experiment
Controlled Variables – all the other stuff that could effect the experiment.
This has to be kept the same between the experimental and control groups.
Data – Chart form
Independent Variable Dependent Variable
No Pollution 43 live fish, 2 dead fish
Pollution 20 live fish, 30 dead fish
Data – Graph form
X axis – Independent Variable – Quantity of Pollution
Y a
xis
– D
epen
dent
Var
iabl
e –
Num
ber
of li
ve f
ish
We will spend more time on graphing as it is ALWAYS on the Regents…and also on your test.
Use the Data to draw a Conclusion
Hypothesis: If the water is polluted, then the fish will die.
Does the data agree (confirm) or disagree (refute) our hypothesis?
It is ok to disprove a hypothesis. What else might be going on?
Are there any new questions that could be asked?
Creative Thinking is Key!Be Curious About the World
Science builds on prior knowledge
There is always more to learn!
Experiment
Experiment
New questions New Questions
New Experiment New Experiment
More new Questions More New Questions More new questions
More new questions
A few more terms
Theory – an accumulated body of knowledge that is well tested and unifies a broad range of observations Gene-Chromosome Theory of Genetics Cell Theory of Life Evolutionary Theory
Law – an accepted fact Law of Gravity
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