Scientific InquiryScientific Inquiry
TopicsTopics
How Scientists Think
The process of inquiry
How Science Develops
References
Metric System
How Scientists ThinkHow Scientists Think
Scientists use the skills of Scientists use the skills of observing, inferring, and observing, inferring, and predicting.predicting.
How Scientists ThinkHow Scientists Think
Observing – Using one or Observing – Using one or more senses to gather more senses to gather informationinformation
Inferring – An interpretation Inferring – An interpretation based upon observation and based upon observation and prior knowledgeprior knowledge
How Scientists ThinkHow Scientists Think
Predicting – The process of Predicting – The process of forecasting what will happen forecasting what will happen based upon evidencebased upon evidence
ObservingObservingThere are two types of There are two types of
observationsobservationsQualitativeQualitative
Observations that deals with Observations that deals with characteristics that are not characteristics that are not expressed in numbersexpressed in numbers
ObservingObserving
QuantitativeQuantitativeObservations that deals with Observations that deals with
numbers, amounts, or numbers, amounts, or measurementsmeasurements
InferringInferring
Based upon reasoning from what is already known (evidence/data)
PredictingPredictingPredictions are based upon past experience,data, or evidence.
A guess has no evidence, data, or past experienceto support it.
TOC
The process of InquiryThe process of Inquiry
Scientific inquiry refers to the Scientific inquiry refers to the different ways scientists study different ways scientists study the natural world.the natural world.
Scientific inquiry use a process Scientific inquiry use a process called the scientific method to called the scientific method to gain scientific knowledge.gain scientific knowledge.
Scientific MethodScientific MethodCollection of scientific facts Collection of scientific facts
through observation and through observation and measurementsmeasurements
Development of one or more Development of one or more working hypotheses to explain working hypotheses to explain the factsthe facts
Scientific MethodScientific Method
Development of experiment to Development of experiment to test the hypothesistest the hypothesis
Acceptance, modification, or Acceptance, modification, or rejection of hypothesis based rejection of hypothesis based on extensive testing.on extensive testing.
Scientific ProcessScientific ProcessThe scientific method is The scientific method is divided into a series of steps divided into a series of steps or a processor a process
Scientific processScientific process
Identify the problem/pose a Identify the problem/pose a questionquestion
Investigate the problemInvestigate the problemFormulate a hypothesisFormulate a hypothesisTest the hypothesisTest the hypothesis
Scientific ProcessScientific Process
Collect and organize dataCollect and organize dataAnalyze dataAnalyze dataDraw a conclusionDraw a conclusionCommunicatingCommunicating
Identify the ProblemIdentify the ProblemPose a QuestionPose a Question
Scientific Inquiry can not answer Questions based upon opinion, judgment or values.
Problems and questions that can be addressed through observation are the type that can be answered through scientific inquiry
Investigate the problemInvestigate the problemOnce a problem has been Once a problem has been
identified or a question asked, identified or a question asked, then the additional information then the additional information is gatheredis gathered
This is done to find out what is This is done to find out what is already known at to determine already known at to determine a hypothesisa hypothesis
Formulate a hypothesisFormulate a hypothesis
A hypothesis is a A hypothesis is a possiblepossible answer to a scientific question answer to a scientific question or problemor problem
The hypothesis must be The hypothesis must be testable through observation testable through observation or experimentationor experimentation..
Test the hypothesisTest the hypothesis
In order to determine whether In order to determine whether a hypothesis is true or not, a hypothesis is true or not, scientists design experiments scientists design experiments to test the hypothesis.to test the hypothesis.
Test the HypothesisTest the Hypothesis
Scientist must be able to identify Scientist must be able to identify and/or account for the various types of and/or account for the various types of variables (factors) that can change in variables (factors) that can change in an experimentan experiment
The two main types of variables The two main types of variables are:are:Independent (manipulated) VariableIndependent (manipulated) VariableDependent (Responding) VariableDependent (Responding) Variable
Collect and organize dataCollect and organize data
During the experiment During the experiment data/information must be data/information must be collected and organize into a collected and organize into a format so that it can be usedformat so that it can be used
Data may be organized into:Data may be organized into:TablesTablesGraphsGraphs
Analyze dataAnalyze dataOnce the data is organized scientists Once the data is organized scientists
must determine what the data is saying.must determine what the data is saying.
The data is organizedinto a graph which saysthat as time increasesthe distance is not changing. This meansthat the object is not moving.
Drawing a ConclusionDrawing a Conclusion
After scientists interpret their After scientists interpret their data, they draw a conclusion data, they draw a conclusion about their hypothesis.about their hypothesis.
A conclusion states whether or A conclusion states whether or not the data supports the not the data supports the hypothesis.hypothesis.
CommunicationCommunication
Communicating is the sharing Communicating is the sharing of ideas and conclusions with of ideas and conclusions with others through writing others through writing (publications) and speaking.(publications) and speaking.
CommunicatingCommunicating
When scientists share the When scientists share the design of an experiment other design of an experiment other scientists can repeat that scientists can repeat that experiment to check results.experiment to check results.
CommunicatingCommunicating
Communicating information Communicating information often leads to new questions, often leads to new questions, new hypotheses and new new hypotheses and new investigationsinvestigations
How Science DevelopsHow Science DevelopsScientists use models and develop Scientists use models and develop
laws and theories to help explain the laws and theories to help explain the natural world.natural world.
How Science DevelopsHow Science Develops
Scientific ModelsScientific ModelsA representation of an object or a A representation of an object or a
processprocessScientific lawsScientific laws
A statement that describes what A statement that describes what scientists expect to happen every time scientists expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditionsunder a particular set of conditions
Scientific TheoriesScientific TheoriesAn explanation for a wide range of An explanation for a wide range of
observations or experimental resultsobservations or experimental results
Scientific ModelScientific Model
There are three basic types of models There are three basic types of models scientists use to represent objects and/or scientists use to represent objects and/or
processesprocessesPhysical modelPhysical modelComputer modelComputer modelMathematical ModelMathematical Model
Physical ModelPhysical Model
Model of a car made out of meat
Computer ModelComputer Model
3D computer model of bullet car
Mathematical ModelMathematical Model
A mathematical schematic of a car during derailment
Scientific lawScientific law
A scientific law describes an observed A scientific law describes an observed pattern in nature without attempting to pattern in nature without attempting to explain it.explain it.Example: Law of gravityExample: Law of gravity
Scientific TheoryScientific Theory
A scientific theory is determined when A scientific theory is determined when many observations can be connected by many observations can be connected by one explanationone explanationExamples: Atomic TheoryExamples: Atomic Theory
Future evidence may not support a theory Future evidence may not support a theory in which case the theory may be modified in which case the theory may be modified or discarded all together.or discarded all together.
Summary of Scientific ProcessSummary of Scientific Process
The Metric SystemThe Metric System
The standard system of measurement The standard system of measurement used by scientists around the world is used by scientists around the world is known as the Système International known as the Système International d’Unités (SI). d’Unités (SI).
SI units are based on multiples of 10.SI units are based on multiples of 10.Each unit is 10 times larger than the next Each unit is 10 times larger than the next
smallest unit and one tenth the size of the smallest unit and one tenth the size of the next largest unit next largest unit
Base Metric UnitsBase Metric Units
Scientist have to measure Scientist have to measure LengthsLengthsMass/WeightMass/WeightVolumeVolumeTemperatureTemperatureTimeTime
There is a base unit for each of these There is a base unit for each of these measuresmeasures
Base UnitsBase Units
MeasureMeasure Base UnitBase UnitLengthLength Meter (m)Meter (m)
MassMass Gram (g)Gram (g)
VolumeVolume Liter (l)Liter (l)
TemperatureTemperature Celsius (Celsius (ooC)C)
TimeTime Seconds (s)Seconds (s)
SI PrefixesSI Prefixes
Kilo (k) = 1000
Hecto (h) = 100
Deka (da) = 1ODeci (d) = 0.1
Centi (c) =0.01
Milli (m) = 0.001
meterliter
gram
Metric NomenclatureMetric Nomenclature
For example: A 6 inch ruler measures15.24cm = 0.1524m = 0.0001524km
The describing of a measurement depends
on how big or small the measure is in relation to the base unit.
Each measure is the same length, but it is much more convenient to use centimeters to describe the length of this ruler.
Metric ConversionsMetric ConversionsThe relationship between two units iscalled the conversion factor.Conversion factors are used tocalculate the conversion of SI units.
For example: 1km = 1000m This is the relationship between kilometersand meters
Metric ConversionsMetric Conversions
metergramliter
DecaHectoKilo Deci centi milli
1000 100 10 Base 1/10 1/100 1/1000
Metric units may be easily converted by moving the decimal point. For example to convert 80cm to meters move the decimal point 2 space to the Left. Therefore 80 cm becomes 0.8 meters
Metric ConversionsMetric Conversions
metergramliter
DecaHectoKilo Deci centi milli
1000 100 10 Base 1/10 1/100 1/1000
To convert 0.75km to meters move the decimalpoint 3 spaces to the right. Therefore 0.75km becomes 750meters
General Rule If going from high unit to low unit move decimal point to the RightIf going from low unit to high unit move decimal point to the Left
Using Conversion FactorsUsing Conversion Factors
To convert any measure from kilometers tometers or from meters to kilometers the measure is multiplied by the conversion factorwhich is written as a fraction:
km or m m kmdepending on what unit of the original measure is.
Calculating the ConversionCalculating the Conversion
Converting 80 centimeters into meters.
The conversion factor for centimeters to Meters is 1m = 100cm (1m/100cm)80 centimeters is multiplied by the conversion factor
80 cm x 1m = 80cm = 0.8meters 100cm 100cm
ReferencesReferences
Frank, David et. al. Science Explorer: Physical Science Boston MA, Pearson Prentice Hall. 2007
FCAT Power Words June 26, 2007 Sarasota Middle school www.sarasotamiddleschool.com/assets/image/infer.jpg
Predicting The Future June 26, 2007 CSL Cartoon Stockwww.cartoonstock.com/lowres/shr11301.jpg
Szilagyi, Mike 3D Bullet Car Philadelphia Trolley Trackswww.phillytrolley.org/IMAGES/BULWIRE.gif
Tank Car Structural Integrity Volpe Center: Structures and Dynamics Divisionwww.volpe.dot.gov/sdd/images/tankcar3.gif June 27, 2007
H, Mark Entry #78 Biome Blogs http//biomeblog.typepad.com/the_bioes_blog/meat_carthumb.jpg
ReferencesReferencesTarbuck, Edward and Fredrick Lutgens. Earth Science 2006 Pearson Prentice Hall Boston MA.
It’s Your planet http://geoweb.tamu.edu/courses/geol100/grossman/sci.method.jpg
