Introduction to Introduction to Science: The Science: The

Scientific MethodScientific Method

What is Science?What is Science?

The knowledge obtained by The knowledge obtained by observingobserving natural events and asking natural events and asking questionsquestions that can be that can be testedtested leading leading to the to the discoverydiscovery of facts and the of facts and the formation of theories, principles, or formation of theories, principles, or laws.laws.

                                                                                                            

Flickr user Pam Sutton | Scottsdale, Arizona

Wisdom begins in wonder. ~ Socrates

                                                                                                          

  Flickr user Karen A. NcQuilkin | View a larger image and leave a comment

The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. ~ Marcel Proust

What is the What is the Scientific Scientific MethodMethod??

Step-by-step way in which scientists Step-by-step way in which scientists answer questions.answer questions.

1. Ask a 1. Ask a questionquestion.. 2. 2. ResearchResearch the topic. the topic. 3. Form a 3. Form a hypothesishypothesis.. 4. 4. TestTest the Hypothesis. the Hypothesis. 5. Gather 5. Gather DataData.. 6. 6. Analyze ResultsAnalyze Results.. 7. 7. Draw ConclusionsDraw Conclusions.. 8. 8. CommunicateCommunicate Results. Results.

Make an observation/Ask a question

Develop a clear statement defining the problem or observation---turn it into a question

Make sure your question is specific and testable

Statement/observation: I want to go swimming in a lake, but I don’t know which lake is cleaner.

Is Jordanelle cleaner water for swimming or is Deer Creek cleaner water for swimming?

Research

Write down all information you already know

Do research in books on the topic you are investigating

Ask experts on the subject you are researching

If you find an answer to your problem/question you do not need to move on

What is a What is a hypothesishypothesis??

A prediction A prediction of what might be of what might be discovered in an experiment.discovered in an experiment.

““Educated GuessEducated Guess”” ““If… then…will…becauseIf… then…will…because” Statement” Statement

How do you test a How do you test a hypothesis?hypothesis?

ExperimentExperiment…… Develop a test or experiment to

prove or disprove your hypothesis Must be run multiple times Must have only 1 independent variable

(the factor being tested Must include 2 setups

Experimental setup Control setup

What are the parts of an What are the parts of an experiment?experiment?

Use a Controlled Experiment Use a Controlled Experiment An experiment that tests only one factor at An experiment that tests only one factor at

a time by using a comparison of a control a time by using a comparison of a control group and an experimental group.group and an experimental group.

ControlControl Group Group The group that The group that the scientist the scientist changes changes

nothing nothing in.in. Experimental GroupExperimental Group

The group that the scientist has changed The group that the scientist has changed something. It is the variable in the something. It is the variable in the experiment.experiment.

What is a What is a variablevariable??

The factor that is different The factor that is different from one from one group to another.group to another.

Independent variableIndependent variable The factor thatThe factor that the scientist the scientist has has

changed changed in order to test the hypothesis.in order to test the hypothesis. Dependent VariableDependent Variable

The result The result of what the scientist of what the scientist changed. What happened in the changed. What happened in the experiment/ experiment/ What is measuredWhat is measured..

What are constants?What are constants?

They are what the scientist kept the They are what the scientist kept the same in both the control group and same in both the control group and the experimental group.the experimental group.

How can you gather How can you gather data?data?

Make Observations.Make Observations. Any use of the senses to gather information.Any use of the senses to gather information.

Qualitative ObservationsQualitative Observations Anything that you see, smell, touch, taste, Anything that you see, smell, touch, taste,

or hear.or hear. Ex. Blue, bitter, fizzing sound.Ex. Blue, bitter, fizzing sound.

Quantitative ObservationsQuantitative Observations Any observation that can be measured.Any observation that can be measured. Must include a number.Must include a number. Ex. 5 centimeters longEx. 5 centimeters long

How can you analyze How can you analyze results to determine results to determine

patterns?patterns? Record Data Write observations and measurements Be consistent when you are checking

your experiments and recording the results

Create tables or charts (Data Tables Data Tables and Pie Charts)and Pie Charts)

Create graphs from collected Data (Line Line Graphs, Bar Graphs)Graphs, Bar Graphs) Complete all necessary mathematical

calculations

How can you draw How can you draw conclusionconclusions?s?

The summary of an experiment, based on the The summary of an experiment, based on the data.data.

Answer the following questions in Answer the following questions in paragraph form (Always explain in paragraph form (Always explain in detail using scientific vocabulary.):detail using scientific vocabulary.): Do your results/data support your Do your results/data support your

hypothesis? Why or why not? (hypothesis? Why or why not? (Accept or Accept or reject your hypothesisreject your hypothesis))

What are ways you can improve your data? What are ways you can improve your data? What would you do differently if you were What would you do differently if you were

to repeat the experiment?to repeat the experiment?

How would you communicate results?

Share data and information with others, such as scientists.

Publish your findings in a book, magazine, journal, the internet.

Let’s try!Let’s try!

AirplanesAirplanes BoatsBoats PlantsPlants

Let’s try!Let’s try!

Six bean plants are to be tested to Six bean plants are to be tested to see what happens if light is taken see what happens if light is taken away. The all have the same type away. The all have the same type of container, the same amount of of container, the same amount of soil, and they will receive the soil, and they will receive the same amount of water. Three will same amount of water. Three will be placed in a sunlit window and be placed in a sunlit window and 3 will be placed in a dark closet 3 will be placed in a dark closet for 2 weeks.for 2 weeks.

What are scientific What are scientific models?models?

ModelModel A representation of an object or system.A representation of an object or system.

Physical ModelsPhysical Models Mathematical ModelsMathematical Models Conceptual ModelsConceptual Models

What is the difference What is the difference between a scientific theory between a scientific theory

and a scientific law?and a scientific law? TheoryTheory

An explanation that An explanation that ties together many ties together many hypotheses and hypotheses and observations.observations.

Supported by Supported by repeated trials.repeated trials.

May help with May help with further predictions.further predictions.

Tells why it Tells why it happens.happens.

LawLaw A summary of many A summary of many

experimental experimental results and results and observations.observations.

Tells how things Tells how things workwork

Only tells what Only tells what happens, it does happens, it does not explain why.not explain why.