1.1 The Process of Science

Six Criteria of (good) Science :

Consistent,

Observable,

Natural,

Predictable,

Testable,

Tentative.

"CONPTT"

Consistency : results stay the same when

an experiment is repeated

Yes:

No:

Consistency : results stay reasonably the

same when an experiment/observations

are repeated

Yes: Green plants will grow towards a light

source.

No: Walking under a ladder will cause bad luck.

Observability : The event or evidence of the

event, can be observed and explained.

Yes:

No:

Observability : The event or evidence of the

event, can be observed and explained.

Yes: Some plants can eat meat.

No: Aliens have visited Earth.

Natural : A natural cause must be used

to explain why or how the event

happens.

Yes:

No:

Natural : A natural cause must be used

to explain why or how the event

happens.

Yes: Green plants convert sunlight into

energy.

No: Moses divided the red sea with a rod.

Predictability : Specific predictions can

be used to make foretell an event.

Yes:

No:

Predictability : Specific predictions can

be used to make foretell an event.

Yes: Students who attend class do better than

students who do not attend class

No: If you are a "Scorpio", your horoscope for

today is "You'll be saying 'I feel rich !”

Testability : the event must be testable

through the processes of science, and

controlled experimentation.

Yes:

No:

Testability : the event must be testable

through the processes of science, and

controlled experimentation.

Yes: Red apples have more sugar than green

apples.

No: Frederico’s is better than Filiberto’s.

Tentativeness : Scientific theories can be

changed or corrected

Yes:

No:

Tentativeness : Scientific theories can be

changed or corrected

Yes: We used to think the earth is flat. We now think it is a sphere.

No: We know that the world began about 6000 years ago, and nothing will change that.

Scientific Method

• What is it?

– An objective and logical process by which

we ask questions and find answers

• Why do we need it?

– To promote open and honest exchange of

data with others; to share what we learn

Steps to the Scientific Method:

Step 1: Observe, wonder and ask

questions about HOW, WHAT,

and WHY phenomena happen in

nature.

- Use your senses to take in new

information and ask questions

- Draw information from previous

experience; consider what you

already know!

Step 2 : Formulate a hypothesis

- A hypothesis is an educated

prediction about a testable question.

Format: If + Independent variable,

then + dependent variable.

• Example: IF we increase the

temperature of the water, THEN

the breathing rate of the fish will

decrease.

- There are two types of variables (parts

of the experiment that change):– Independent Variable: variable that is changed by the

scientists during the experiment.

• The INPUT

• Example: water temperature

– Dependent Variable: variable that changes because of

changes to the independent variable.

• data that is collected through observation and

measurement.

• The OUTCOME

• Example: Breathing rate

• Example: IF we increase the

temperature of the water, THEN

the breathing rate of the fish will

decrease.

Steps 3: Experiment to test your

hypothesis.

Parts of a good experiment:

1) There is a control (what naturally

happens and is used for comparison).

2) Proper sample: large and diverse

enough to represent a given population

(100+).

3) list of all materials used in experiment

(bullet points)

4) step-by-step procedure list of how you

set up your experiment (numbered)

Steps 4: Collect Data and Analyze

Results

–Collect raw data as you conduct the

experiment.

–Analyze results:

• Arrange data into a easy to read table and

graph.

• Summarize results (1-2 sentences, use

data)

• List any possible sources of error in

experiment

• Step 5: Conclusions

– 1-2 sentences summarizing your experiment

– Did your data support your hypothesis? (one

sentence) Why or why not?

– What would you do differently next time?

– Additional questions you may have after

experiment is completed

• Step 6: Peer Review

– As you evaluate the work of others, consider

the following questions:

• Is the experiment repeatable?

• Do you see any possible errors (additional

variables)

• Ask clarifying questions (things that need to be

explained better)

• Are results verifiable?

• CONPTT

Be prepared to answer these questions

from your peers