OBSERVATION

Information we gather by using our

senses (see, hear, smell, touch,

taste)

A WORD OF CAUTION

Although we may use all 5 senses to make observations, you must NEVER taste or smell unknown materials in science class!!

Unless the teacher specifically tells you to taste or to smell something, DON’T DO IT!

Safety is our first and most important concern in science lab!

PROPERTY or ATTRIBUTE

A characteristic that distinguishes one substance from another

Examples: color, size, shape, weight, odor, taste, texture, sound

Observations should include as many attributes or properties as possible

TWO KINDS OF OBSERVATIONS

Qualitative – Observations that do NOT involve numbers or measurements.

1. Quantitative – Observations that involve numbers or measurements *Remember: N= Number

INFERENCE

A statement that explains or makes

sense of an observation

PREDICTION

The outcome (or result) you expect to take place in the future

HYPOTHESIS

o A prediction that can be tested by

an experiment

o 3 Parts: 1. Cause2. Effect3. Testable

Hypothesis

Cause = The ONE thing (variable) that is changed in an experiment

Effect = The results, the outcome, what happened in the experiment

Testable = Can be tested

Writing a Hypothesis

Write a hypothesis as an IF…., Then…. statement

If = Cause Then = Effect

Example: If I cool water to 0 degrees Celsius, then the water will freeze.

Identify the cause and the effect

1. The higher the temperature of the water, the faster the eggs will cook.

2. People who drink fluoridated water will have less tooth decay than those who don’t

3. Refrigeration will slow the growth of mold on bread.

Identify the Cause and the Effect

4. Talking to plants will make them grow taller.

5. When soil is wet, it weighs less than when it is dry.

6. Putting a metal object in the outlet will shock you.

7. If you put wet clothes in your clothes hamper and leave them there until laundry day, mold will grow on them.

Writing a Hypothesis- If… Then…

1. If the temperature of the water is higher, then the eggs will cook faster.

2. If people drink fluoridated water, then they will have less tooth decay than those who don’t.

3. If bread is refrigerated, then the refrigeration will slow the growth of mold on the bread.

Writing a Hypothesis- If… Then…

4. If you talk to plants, then the plants will grow taller.

5. If soil is wet, then it will weigh less than soil that is dry.

6. If you put a metal object in the outlet, then it will shock you.

7. If you put wet clothes in your clothes hamper and leave them there until laundry day, then mold will grow on them.

Controlled Experiment

An experiment where only one variable is changed.

All other variables are controlled, or kept the same.

Only CONTROLLED experiments are FAIR and RELIABLE!!!

VARIABLE

A factor that can affect the outcome of an experiment

It is IMPORTANT to keep all but ONE of the variables the same in different trials of the experiment

The Control

The part of the experiment that does NOT receive the change to the variable.

At the end of an experiment, we compare our results to the CONTROL to see the change more clearly

SCIENTIFIC METHOD

A way of thinking about nature that involves the use of certain skills to solve problems in an orderly manner.

SOLVE PROBLEMS – ORDERLY MANNER

7 Step Scientific Method

1. Ask a question/define problem2. Gather background information3. Form a hypothesis4. Test hypothesis w/an

experiment5. Make observations and record

data (take notes)6. Analyze data7. Draw a conclusion

Define The Problem

State the problem as a CLEARLY worded QUESTION

Gather Background Information

Collect any information related to the question you are trying to answer.

Make as many qualitative and quantitative observations as you can before the experiment!!!

Form the HYPOTHESIS

Write the BEST POSSIBLE answer that you can think of to the question.

Be sure to include a CAUSE and an EFFECT!!!!

Write it as an If… Then… Statement.

Remember, you have to be able to test your hypothesis!!

Test the Hypothesis

Perform an experiment designed to test your answer to the investigative question

When performing an experiment… Make certain that you and those in your group are being accurate in what you observe and measure.

If something does not make sense with the other data, then RETEST the conflicting data!

Make Observations

During the experiment, make as many qualitative and quantitative observations as you can!!

Remember to: Make sure to pay attention to any changes that occur during the experiment.

Make sure your measurements are always as accurate as possible.

Analyze Data

When studying your data from an experiment, be sure to look for relationships.

Ask yourself these questions: Is there a relationship? Is there a pattern?

Draw Conclusions

After analyzing the data, summarize the results of the experiment.

The conclusion should answer the investigative question.

Example: Question-Which ball will bounce the highest? Conclusion-The golf ball bounced the highest.

Communicate Results

When sharing the results of an experiment, be clear and concise in the information your group presents to the class.

Share the relationships or lack of relationships (anomalies) that are found in the results of the experiment.