What Do Scientists Do?

Quiz 1C

How does the process of scientific investigation work?

Scientists use a series of procedures called the scientific method (sometimes

referred to as scientific inquiry).

THE SCIENTIFIC METHODan organized way

of arriving at a workable solution

to a problem (a logical procedure for choosing an

answer to a question)

Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Establish the problem

2. Form a hypothesis

3. Test the hypothesis

4. Classify and analyze the data

5. Choose and verify the answer

6. Predict outcomes

steps of scientific method listing in textbook

(1) Establish the problem

This process often begins with a problem or question about an observation.

Questions come from experiences that you have and from observations and inferences that you make.

Some questions cannot be investigated by science.

Does my dog eat more food than my cat?

Which makes a better pet – a cat or a dog?

(1) Establish the problem

problem: a question that may be answered by the use of the scientific method

The problem must:• fall within the limitations of science• be observable• be measurable• be repeatable

(1) Establish the problem

Establishing the problem involves background research and limiting (defining) the problem.

Background research

reading books and talking to qualified people about the topic or the problem

Limiting the problem

means stating the problem carefully

(2) Form a hypothesis

hypothesis: a possible solution; an educated guess (a prediction that can be tested)

(3) Test the HypothesisA scientist will then gather evidence that will either support or disprove the hypothesis.This is done one of two ways:• by conducting an experiment• by conducting a survey

(3) Test the Hypothesis

This information (evidence) is called data. data: pieces of information (facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations)

Data must be measured and recorded accurately.

What’s in an Experiment?

Experimental variable Experimental group Control group

Experimental Variable a condition that affects the result of an experiment (also known as independent variable or manipulated variable or experimental factor)

A variable is something in an experiment that can change. Each experiment should have only one variable.

Experimental Group

the group that is exposed to the

experimental variable

Control Group

the group, in an experiment, that is not exposed to the experimental variable

A control is the standard to which the outcome of a test is compared.

Surveya set of

observations that are made to

determine what is a common practice in a

particular area

(4) Classify and analyze the data

classify: arranging data so relationships can be seen

Classifyoften involves grouping or sorting the

data (making a chart or table) which makes answers easier to find

Graphs can reveal patterns or trends in data.

(4) Classify and analyze the data

analyzing: determining whether a set of data supports a hypothesis

(5) Choose and Verify the Answer

Once an answer is chosen, it must be verified.

How do you verify and answer?

By gathering additional data through experiments or surveys.

The more data that is found to support the answer, the more likely it is that the answer is correct.

How do you verify and answer?

Proving and verifying are not the same. A scientist can never completely prove an answer.

Why? Because it is based on observations done by humans who make mistakes.

The goal is to find a workable answer. workable: able to be used successfully

(6) Predict Outcomes

predict: to make a statement about the expected future outcome of a certain action