Science and the Scientific Method

Mrs. Pagar

ScienceIs the study of nature’s

rules, a way of thinking and a body of knowledge

Is the systematic study of creation using methods based on observation and experimentation

It helps us understand events that happen in God’s world.

PhysicsThe most basic of all sciencesIt deals with motion, forces, energy,

matter, heat, sound, light, and the composition of atoms.

The use of Math helps make ideas in science unambiguous.

TechnologyApplication of ScienceApplication of minerals like salt on our food,

metal in our appliances

Science deals with knowledge for its own sake while technology is an application of scientific knowledge.

Science deals with theoretical questions, while technology deals with practical problems.

Hypothesis-a reasonable educated guess about the answer that has yet to be proven by experiments

A scientific hypothesis must be testable

A scientist proceeds in a methodical way to state a problem; to formulate a hypothesis, that is, a reasonable guess about the answer; to devise an investigation or experiment that will support or oppose the hypothesis; to interpret data gathered, and to draw conclusions based on his data and interpretations.

To set up a hypothesis before the experiment is performed is sometimes not possible because so little is known of the problem. On the other hand, sometimes several different guesses (multiple working hypotheses) are proposed.

The scientific method Procedures for answering questions about the world by testing educated guesses and formulating general rules.

is the logical series of steps used to answer questions and investigate phenomena around us..

Steps of the Scientific Method1. Recognize a problem.2. Make a hypothesis about the problem.3. Predict the consequences of the hypothesis4.Perform experiments to test predictions.5. Formulate the simplest general rule that

organizes the three main ingredients: hypothesis, prediction and experimental outcome.

More Vocabulary words…   A decision, judgment, or opinion reached by reasoning-

- conclusion  Facts from which conclusions can be drawn; information-

- dataRecorded information through reason and logic, provides support to validate or falsify a theory or hypothesis-

 evidence 

Scientific FactA close agreement by competent observers of observations of the same phenomena

Scientific laws- generalizations based on observations that describe the way an object behaves under specific conditions

Example: Law of gravity

Scientific Theory

A body of knowledge and well tested hypotheses about an aspect of the natural world.

Explanation/s of the scientific law based upon inferences from observations

It is modified as new evidence is gathered.Synthesis of a large collection of information

that encompasses well tested and verified hypotheses about certain aspects of the natural world.

Experiment A trial or test, carried out under controlled

conditions, to discover something unknown, to verify a hypothesis. 

Experimental/Independent variable- factor or condition that is alteredExperimental group- groups that experience the experimental

factorControl group-lacks the experimental variable hypothesis An idea assumed because it seems likely

to be a true explanation. A "first guess." 

Independent and dependent variables are related to one another.  The Independent part is what you, the experimenter, changes or enacts in order to do your experiment. 

The dependent variable is what changes when the independent variable changes - the dependent variable depends on the outcome of the independent variable.

Example: Does light affect the growth of plants?Independent Variables -are changes that occur in an experiment that are

directly caused by the experimenter (you.) IV here is light.

Dependent Variables are changes that occur due to independent variables,

the effect. DV here is plant growthA Controlled Variable is anything else that could influence the dependent

variables. CV here are water amount, temperature, location

Controlled variables must be carefully monitored and kept equal in your experiments - otherwise they could mess up your experiment by making your results false or unreliable.

In summary, a scientist develops answers to a problem in this way: He states the problem, makes a hypothesis, devises an investigation, interprets the data he gathers, and draws a conclusion based on the data.