Natural PhilosophySocrates, Plato, Aristotle

Were the “authorities” in Western thought from about 500 BCE to 1600 AD

Believed that there was a perfect world, but this world isn’t it

Natural PhilosophyAristotle’s “perfect world” was

accessible only through thought and contemplation.

Observation or experiment on this dirty, nasty imperfect world was useless in understanding “timeless truth.”

Beginnings of ScienceScience, as we know it, evolved from

“natural philosophy” (literally “thinking about nature”) starting about the year 1600 due to the work of Galileo, Bacon, and many others.

Scientific Progress In the last 400 years, scientists have

made incredible strides in their efforts to understand our universe (although there is still much to know).

Scientific progress has brought about technological progress that Galileo could not have imagined.

Scientific Methods

“The success of science has more to do with an attitude common to scientists than with a particular method. This attitude is one of inquiry, experimentation, and humility before the facts.”

Ideas Worth Sharing

Science TerminologyWe need a common science vocabulary

in order to communicate effectively with one another.

Keep in mind that the scientific meaning of a word is often different than its everyday meaning.

Steps in the Scientific Steps in the Scientific MethodMethod

Question/ProblemQuestion/Problem Observation/InferenceObservation/Inference

HypothesisHypothesis Experimental DesignExperimental Design

MethodsMethods ProcedureProcedure

ResultsResults Data CollectionData Collection Data AnalysisData Analysis

ConclusionConclusion Further ResearchFurther Research

Retest etc. Retest etc.

Observation An observation is something you notice.

May be casual or even accidental May be formal - experimental data are

observations.You make an observation based on your

senses- sight, sound, hearing, taste etc.Not all observations are correct - people

make mistakes.

You Try Observing…

You Try Observing…

1. Where there any cars on the side of the street?

2. What color is the pick up truck driving in the road?

3. Were there any mini vans around?

4. What does the blue sign say?

5. What is the speed limit?

6. Are there any pedestrians on the road?

You Try Observing…Answers:

1. Yes

2. Blue

3. Yes

4. Yard Sale

5. 35 mph

6. No

Scientific InferenceLogical interpretation based upon prior

knowledge and experiencesBased upon observationsExample: On the first day of school

when you entered the room, you most likely inferred that the individual in the front of the room was the teacher.

Problem/QuestionA problem/question is formed based on

observations and inferencesMust be testableCan ask what, why, how

Example: Why is the sky blue? How do trees grow so big? What happens when…..

HypothesesA hypothesis is a possible explanation as to

why something happens.Most likely written in the If….then.. Because…

form A scientific hypothesis must be testable by

observation - there must be observations that we can make to tell whether the hypothesis is correct or not.

If (we perform this experiment), then (this is what is going to happen), because (we found this out based on our research.)

Experimental Experimental DesignDesign

A A set of materials set of materials needed needed to to conduct the conduct the experimentexperiment

A A detailed list of detailed list of steps usedsteps used to to testtest the hypothesis.the hypothesis.

Scientific Experiments Scientific Experiments Follow Rules: VariablesFollow Rules: Variables

An experimenter changes one factor (independent variable) and observes or measures what happens (dependent variable) .

The Control The Control Variable/GroupVariable/Group

The experimenter makes a The experimenter makes a special effort to keep special effort to keep other other factors constantfactors constant so that they so that they will not effect the outcome.will not effect the outcome.

Those factors are called Those factors are called control variables.control variables. Controls are NOT being tested Controls are used for COMPARISON

Other VariablesThe factor that is changed

is known as the independent variable.

The factor that is measured or observed is called the dependent variable.

One more thing… it is best to make several trials with each independent variable.

DataDataResults of the

experimentMay be quantitative

(numbers) or qualitative (based on descriptions)

If numbers are used, they must be measured using the metric system!

ConclusionsA conclusion is a decision based on

observations, facts, and experimental data.

It explains what happened and provides an explanation as to why it may have happened.

Further ResearchFurther Research

Future Research must be addressed. Describes possible

experiments that could be completed in the future based on your conclusions.

Scientific LawsA scientific law is a powerful summary

of many facts. Laws describe what happens, they don’t

generally explain why they happen. Laws can often be expressed very

conveniently and concisely in mathematical form.

Scientific TheoriesAs experimental evidence (observations) accumulates,

we can become more confident that a hypothesis is true.A theory is a synthesis (powerful combination) of

well-tested hypotheses.Scientific theories tend to explain why scientific laws

operate the way they do - theories are often called “models”.

Fun Fact: The word “theory” is probably the most misused science term - certainly by laymen, but even by scientists!

The Process of Science In science NOTHING (well, hardly

anything) is ever “proven once and for all”.

This process of testing facts, conclusions, laws, and theories with experimental observations NEVER ENDS.

Steps in the Lab ReportSteps in the Lab Report AbstractAbstract

Summary of the experimentSummary of the experiment Background InformationBackground Information

Mention previous studiesMention previous studies Major findings of researchMajor findings of research

Question/ProblemQuestion/Problem Based on observationBased on observation

Experimental DesignExperimental Design Materials/proceduresMaterials/procedures

DataData Data AnalysisData Analysis Discussion Discussion Further ResearchFurther Research Works CitedWorks Cited

The End