Scientific MethodScientific Method&&

MeasurementsMeasurements

1.1. Why do we use the scientific Why do we use the scientific method?method?

2.2. List one part of the scientific List one part of the scientific method.method.

Warm up:Warm up:

ScienceScience

Science is knowledge Science is knowledge gained through gained through observation and observation and experimentsexperiments

Steps of The Scientific MethodSteps of The Scientific Method

Observation Problem / Question Hypothesis Procedures / Experiment Data Conclusion RETEST (if needed)

START

Observations:

Information gathered from your surroundings that may lead to a problem or question

HypothesesTentative and testable

statements to be proven.

Test ONE variable at a time.

The rest of the environment must remain constant!

TheoryTheoryTheoryTheory- an explanation of natural - an explanation of natural phenomenon supported by phenomenon supported by evidenceevidence

No evidence to disprove itNo evidence to disprove itCan have multiple theories about Can have multiple theories about

something.something.

Scientific LawScientific Law: formed from making : formed from making observations and NO exceptions have observations and NO exceptions have been found.been found.

(Usually a math equation like Newton’s (Usually a math equation like Newton’s Law of Gravity)Law of Gravity)

Charles DarwinTheory of Evolution

Hypothesis, Theory or Law?Hypothesis, Theory or Law?

1.1. We all descended from a common We all descended from a common ancestor.ancestor.

2.2. Life on Earth began due to aliens.Life on Earth began due to aliens.

3.3. Since ink is transferred to paper, it Since ink is transferred to paper, it can be transferred to anything.can be transferred to anything.

PROCEDURES/EXPERIMENTControl GroupsControl Groups

All conditions are kept All conditions are kept the samethe same

Take away independent variable to make sure the test is valid.

PROCEDURES/EXPERIMENTExperimental GroupsExperimental Groups

Group is subjected to a change Group is subjected to a change

Independent Variable Independent Variable – variable that is changed– variable that is changed

Dependent Variable Dependent Variable – the variable that changes – the variable that changes in response to the independent variablein response to the independent variable

Measured with accuracy (close to the actual, true value) and precision (if repeated, should have the same results

Control Or Experimental Group?Control Or Experimental Group?Independent OR Dependent Variable?Independent OR Dependent Variable?

Group 1: Tomato Plant grown in soil with waterGroup 1: Tomato Plant grown in soil with water

Group 2: Tomato Plant grown in soil with Fertilizer and Group 2: Tomato Plant grown in soil with Fertilizer and water water

Months later…

Normal size Fertilizer makes it larger

DATA/RESULTSQuality vs QuantityQuality vs Quantity

QualitativeQualitative Data- observable data Data- observable data Observations using senses Observations using senses No numbersNo numbers Color, shape, smell, etcColor, shape, smell, etc Ex. The sky is blueEx. The sky is blue

QuantitativeQuantitative Data- measurable data Data- measurable data NumbersNumbers Height, length, time, temperature, etcHeight, length, time, temperature, etc Ex. He is 6ft tallEx. He is 6ft tall

Accuracy – how close measurements are to an Accuracy – how close measurements are to an actual resultactual result

Qualitative OR Quantitative?Qualitative OR Quantitative?

GraphingGraphing

DD

EE

PP YY

EE

NN AA

DD XX

EE II

NN SS

TT

X AXISX AXIS

INDEPENDENTINDEPENDENT

D-R-Y M-I-X

Dependent Manipulate

Responsive Independent

Y axis X axis

Graphing RulesRULES FOR GRAPHS:1.Title2.Labels ( X and Y axis)3.Increments must be equal4.Key or legend

Based on the graph below, what do you Based on the graph below, what do you expect will happen to the temperature expect will happen to the temperature on day 9?on day 9?

Form a conclusion from data by what you actually see.

Inferences: Making further reasoning from evidence. Not always true (infer something based on an observation) and may lead to further testing.

If hypothesis is proven true, additional trials will prove validity.

CONCLUSIONSCONCLUSIONS