Chapter 1

Section 2 – pg 10

Scientific Inquiry

• Scientific Inquiry: refers to the different ways scientists study the natural world

– Ongoing process of discovery in science

• Habits of scientists

– Honesty: reporting observations truthfully

– Open-mindedness: accepting new and different ideas

– Skepticism: being doubtful about information presented without evidence

– Creativity: coming up with new ways to solve problems

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The Process of Inquiry

• The process that scientists use in inquiry include posing questions, developing hypotheses, designing experiments, collecting and interpreting data, drawing conclusions, and communicating ideas and results.

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Posing Questions

• You can answer scientific questions by making observations

– IE: In what month do most leaves turn colors?

• Scientific inquiry cannot answer questions based on opinion, values, or judgments

– You can collect data on opinions, but all you will find is the preferred opinion

• IE: What kind of ice cream do people prefer?

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Developing Hypotheses

• Hypothesis: a possible answer to a scientific question or explanation for a set of observations

– A hypothesis is not a fact

– They lead to predictions that can be tested

– Many trials are needed before a hypothesis can be accepted

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Designing an Experiment

• You can test a prediction by designing an experiment

– Parameter: a factor that can be measured in an experiment

• Variable Parameter: factors that you change during an experiment

– Manipulated Variable: the factor you purposely change during the experiment

– Responding Variable: the factor expected to change in response to the manipulated variable

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• Hypothesis: Water will take longer to boil if salt is added

• Experiment: measure time it takes for regular water to boil and compare it to time it takes for salt water to boil

• Manipulated variable: amount of salt added to the water

• Responding variable: amount of time it takes to boil

• To ensure that changes in the manipulated variable are causing the changes in the responding variable, scientists keep all other parameters controlled (constant)

• Controlled Experiment: an investigation in which only one parameter is manipulated at a time

– Our previous example would not be a controlled experiment if the temperature of the water at the beginning of the experiment was not kept constant

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Collecting and Interpreting Data

• Scientists use data tables for collecting their data

– Data: facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observation

– A data table provides an organized way to collect and record observations

• Data can be qualitative and quantitative

• Once data is collected it needs to be interpreted, or explained

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Drawing Conclusions

• After scientists interpret their data, they draw a conclusion about their hypothesis

– A conclusion states whether or not the data support the hypothesis (if you were right or not)

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Communicating

• Communicating: sharing ideas and conclusions with others through writing and speaking

– Includes sharing the process you used in your inquiry (how it was done)

• Often other scientists try to repeat the experiment

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How Science Develops

• Scientists use models and develop theories and laws to increase people’s understanding of the natural world

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Scientific Method

• Model: a picture, diagram, computer image, or other representation of an object or process

– Useful when it is impossible to observe the actual object or process

• Some are computer generated, and some are just mathematical equations or word that describe the object or process

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Scientific Theories

• Scientific Theory: a well-tested explanation for a wide range of observations or experimental results

– IE: atomic theory (that everything is made of atoms)

• Scientists only accept a theory when there is a large body of evidence that supports it

– However if future evidence does not support it the theory may be altered or discarded

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Scientific Laws

• When scientists repeatedly observe the same result in specific circumstances they may develop a scientific law

– Scientific Law: a statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions

• Rule of nature

– IE: Law of Gravity

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Chapter 1 Section 2 Homework - Pg 15

(Skip 2C)

1A. What is scientific inquiry?

1B. Name six processes that are often involved in scientific inquiry

1C. How can an experiment that disproves a hypothesis be useful?

2A. What is a scientific theory?

A scientific law?

2B. How do scientific theories differ from scientific law?

2C. SKIP!