Scientific Inquiry and the Scientific MethodUnderstanding the World Around Us

Vocabulary Introduction

Observation (Facts)

Definition

Examples

•Observations/Facts you make with your senses that you know to be true.•Quantitative: numbers•Qualitative: descriptions that cannot be put in numbers

Vocabulary Introduction

Theory

Definition

Examples

•A time-tested concept that makes predictions about the natural world. Once proposed, it must be tested over again. It may be thrown out or modified.

Vocabulary Introduction

Law

Definition

Examples

•If a theory survives many tests it becomes a law. It summarizes observed experimental facts.

Vocabulary Introduction

Inferring

Definition

Examples

•An explanation or interpretation of observations.•Inferences are based on reasoning, not random guessing

Vocabulary Introduction

Prediction

Definition

Examples

•A forecast of what will happen in the future•Based on past evidence or observations.

Vocabulary Introduction

Observation(Facts)

Theory Law

Definition Definition Definition

Examples Examples Examples

•Observations/Facts you make with your senses that you know to be true.•Quantitative: numbers•Qualitative: descriptions that cannot be put in numbers

•A time-tested concept that makes predictions about the natural world. Once proposed, it must be tested over again. It may be thrown out or modified.

•If a theory survives many tests it becomes a law. It summarizes observed experimental facts.

Vocabulary Introduction

Inferring Prediction

Definition Definition

Examples Examples

•An explanation or interpretation of observations.•Inferences are based on reasoning, not random guessing

•A forecast of what will happen in the future•Based on past evidence or observations.

Steps of Scientific Inquiry Uses senses to make observations. Makes inferences or predictions based on

observations. Research the topic Form a hypothesis Design a controlled experiment to test the

hypothesis Perform the experiment and record data Draw a conclusion

Hypothesis is Accepted

Hypothesis is Rejected

Go back and redesign your hypothesis

Becomes a Theory

Accepted many times and proven mathematically

Becomes a Law

Variable • The one part of an experiment that is manipulated by the scientist

• Present in the experimental group, not present in the control group.

• Example:If you were testing the strength of different paper towels (like you did last year) the type of paper towel will be the variable.

A Controlled Experiment Has…

Control Group

Setup according to “normal” conditions

Experimental Group

Same as the Control Group, but with the variable

• They are exactly the same except for the experimental group having the variable(the one difference)

• The larger the sample size, the more accurate the results

Important Points:

Hypothesis Formation

If The conditions you are setting up (like prongs in thesis statement/more than one)

Then Your predicted results. (what you think will happen)

Because

Your explanation for your predicted results. (why)

Steps of Scientific InquiryUses senses to make observations.

Makes inferences or predictions based on observations.

Research the Topic

Form a Hypothesis

Design a controlled experiment to test the hypothesis

Perform the experiment

Record dataDraw a Conclusion

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