Scientific Process

Living Environment

Mrs. Hulbert

Objectives

Define and create hypotheses. Identify dependent and independent

variables. Identify the control/control group in an

experiment. Utilize the steps of the scientific method in

evaluating and designing experiments.

Observation

Any information that is collected with any of your senses

Examples:

Instrument

Tools used to enhance our abilities Examples:

Inference

A conclusion based on observations Example:

Scientific Method

Organized approach used to solve problems Involves:

– A. identifying a problem– B. proposing a hypothesis (If…then…)– C. testing the hypothesis with an experiment– D. drawing conclusions based on your

observations

Which of the following statements is a hypothesis?

1. Do frogs produce more eggs in warm water or in cold water?

2. If temperature affects frog reproduction then they will produce more eggs when the water is warm.

Experiment

Control – “normal” situation, does not get the experimental treatment, used for comparison

Dependent Variable - measured or observed condition (responding variable)

Independent Variable – what the experimenter is changing or manipulating

(manipulated variable)

“The dependent variable depends on the

independent variable.”

Check for Understanding (CFU)

A student performs an experiment to determine the effect of light on pillbug activity. Her hypothesis is “if pillbug behavior is effected by the amount of light then they will be more active in the dark.”

What will her independent variable be? What will her dependent variable be? What will she do with her control group?

How do you increase validity (truthfulness)?

Repeat your procedure Use a large sample size

Scientific Facts and Laws

Observations that have been proven repeatedly but are still open to change

Peer Review

Scientists repeat or look over other scientists experiments and compare the results to see if they are valid.

CFU

Worksheet on ELMO Homework – The Methods of Biology

worksheet