notes scientific investigation

Scientific Investigations

Scientists conduct investigations for different reasons. All investigations require a 1. question, careful 2.observations and 3.data collection.

There are two major types of data:

QuaLitative and QuaNtitative

QuaLitative Data:Data which uses descriptive

words(notice the L for letters!)

Describing data is gathered with the appropriate five senses:

• 1. Sight• 2. Hear• 3. Smell• 4. Taste• 5. Touch

QuaNtitative Data:

Data which uses numbers from measurements

(notice the N for numbers!)

Once data is gathered, scientists thoroughly study the data to identify patterns which may lead to answering the original question.

There are different types of investigations

that scientists may perform.

Descriptive Investigations…

*Gathers data which measures or *describes objects or events

Descriptive Investigations…

Collect: quaLitative and/or

quaNtitativedata

Descriptive Investigations…

Includes:1. question or 2.problem, but…..

Descriptive Investigations…

DO Does NOT have 1. hypothesis.

2.independent variables or 3.dependent variables.

Comparative Investigations…

Collect data on different organisms, orbects or events or under different conditions

Comparative Investigations…

*Gathers data on different organisms, objects or events or under different conditions.

Comparative Investigations…

Can *compares two or more objects or events.

Comparative Investigations…Can *describe quantitatively and qualitatively by finding the similarities and differences between organisms, objects or events

Comparative Investigations…

Collects: 1.quaLitative observations by getting measurements 2.quaNtitative observations by measuring the temperature, time , location, etc.

Comparative Investigations…

Includes: 1.question and 2.hypothesis.

Comparative Investigations…

Have a 1.hypothesis , 2.dependent variable and 3.independent variable

Experimental Investigations…*Gathers data to test a single manipulated variable*Describes quantitatively and qualitatively

Experimental Investigations…

*Compares any changes in the dependent variable to a control.

Experimental Investigations…

Collects: 1. quaLitative and 2.quaNtitative data to test the manipulating

Variable.

Experimental Investigations…

Iincludes: a 1.question and a 2.hypothesis Party List:ProblemVariableGraph

As well as includes a 3.control and a 4.constant.

These are two different things.

Experimental Investigations…

Have a 1.hypothesis and both an 2.independent variables and 3.dependent variables and a 4.control.

Control Miracle Grow Scotts

Control:

A control is an exact setup of the experiment you are performing. Everything is identical except for the variable that you are testing.

Water + NaCl Water + KCl Water + PCl₅

Water

Constant: Factor(s) that is(are) kept

the same in all trials of an investigation.For Example:

* The height a paper helicopter is dropped.

* The size of what is considered to be a “drop” of liquid.

* How hard you throw the ball.

The Independent (manipulated) Variable:

Something you may change during an experiment to determine its

affect. I decide what I will test.

Notice the I in Independent!

The Dependent (responding) Variable:

This is the variable you want to study to see if it is affected by the independent variable. The affects (results)

depend on the independent variable. Notice

the D in Dependent!

Let’s pull it all together…

Using your notes,Fill in the data

table.

R Statement Descriptive Comparative Experimental

Has independent variables

x x

Has dependent variables

x x

Has a control xUses quaNtitative data

x x x

Uses quaLitative data

x x x

Compares changes

x x

Describes objects or events

x x x