the scientific method topic 1. what is science? - a body of knowledge based on observation and...
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THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Topic 1
WHAT IS SCIENCE?
- a body of knowledge based on observation
and experimentation
HOW DO WE ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE ABOUT SCIENCE?
We use the SCIENTIFIC METHOD
WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD?
- a series of steps to be followed when trying to reach a
conclusion
WHAT ARE THE STEPS?
1. Ask a question2. Do Research3. Form a Hypothesis4. Perform an Experiment5. Collect and Analyze
Data6. Make a Conclusion
1. ASK A QUESTION
- questions usually come from
observations you make about your
surroundings
WHAT’S AN OBSERVATION?
- an observation is information gathered using one or many of your senses
THE SENSES
How many do you have? 5
EXAMPLES OF QUESTIONS/ PROBLEMS…•Why do leaves change color in the fall?•What is a rainbow?•How did the Grand Canyon form?
2. DO RESEARCH
You can use • the Internet• Research
journals• periodicals
3. FORM A HYPOTHESIS
- an educated prediction about the outcome of an experiment
HYPOTHESIS…
These statements must include…1. If 2. thenex) If salt crystals are broken into smaller pieces then they will dissolve faster in water.
4. DESIGN AN EXPERIMENT
Controlled experiment• only one variable at a
time is being changed• Variable- factor that
can change or be changed
2 TYPES OF VARIABLES
• Independent • Dependent
INDEPENDENT VARIABLE
variable that is changed by the experimenter
“I” change the independent
DEPENDENT VARIABLE
variable that changes because of the independent variable
dependent depends on the independent
THE CONTROL
the factor in an experiment that represents “normal” conditions and what you compare the experimental data to
CONSTANTS
Constants are factors that remain the same throughout the experiment
5. COLLECT AND ANALYZE DATA
All data must be included, you cannot OMIT anything
TYPES OF OBSERVATIONS
Objective- just the facts, no opinions are includedSubjective- personal opinions are included
OBJECTIVE VS SUBJECTIVEYOU DECIDE…
1. It’s 78° outside.2. This room is cold.3. Erin is short.4. His t-shirt is green.
objective
subjective
subjective
objective
INFERENCE
An inference is a conclusion that
logically follows a set of observations
READ THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH AND UNDERLINE THE SENTENCE THAT IS AN INFERENCE IN YOUR NOTES
THIS SUMMER HAS BEEN REALLY HOT. I ONLY WATERED MY GARDEN A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE LEAVES OF MY PLANTS ARE DRY AND THE EDGES ARE TURNING YELLOW AND BROWN. I DON’T THINK THEY ARE GOING TO PRODUCE ANY FLOWERS.
OBSERVATION VS INFERENCE
YOU DECIDE…
1. That cloud is gray.2. It looks like it’s
going to rain.3. It looks hot outside.
observation
inference
inference
TYPES OF GRAPHS
• Bar Graph
• Line Graph
GRAPH SETUP
• Give the graph a title• Label and scale the x- axis
- Independent variable data• Label and scale the y- axis
- Dependent variable data
6. MAKE A CONCLUSION
Compare hypothesis to experimental data• Hypothesis accepted• Hypothesis rejected
WHAT HAPPENS NOW?
Accepted hypothesis• Report results• Peer reviewRejected hypothesis• Start over