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Steps of Scientific InquiryWhat is scientific inquiry?

Scientific inquiry is the process ofasking meaningful questions and seekinganswers to those questions. Scientists try toanswers their questions by conductingscientific investigations.

The chart shows steps that are often usedin scientific investigations. It also shows that

the steps do not need to be used in anyspecific order. Because each question isdifferent, there is no single tway to find ananswer to every question. Still, you can usethese steps to guide your own scienceinvestigations.

C Ask a Question )T

T 1 I / IDo Research

I Use books, journals, the Internet,I

Make Observations ... or other sources. IGather information with your senses. I"

\.

~ I./

I1 '\r State a Hypot~esis I

'\ 4!Analyze Data and Draw Conclusions Suggest an answer to your question.

Decide what the data mean and if./

they support your hypothesis.... 1 I po.

I Plan and Carry Out an Experiment II

pp yp

IList the steps of scientific investigation you might use to answer each of thefollowing questions. j

1. What is normal human body temperature?

2. How does saltwater affect the growth of plants?

3. Whrt is the depth of a pond near your house?

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