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Do Background Research

Construct a Hypothesis

Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment

Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion

Communicate Your Results

An observation is something

that can be made with our

senses or with instruments.

An interpretation is a possible

explanation of an observation.

Think about the definitions of observation and interpretation.

Divide the information given into small pieces.

Apply the definitions of observation and interpretation.

Look at the conditions in which observations and interpretations were made. Decide whether the observations were made carefully and interpretations are reasonable.

Is to break down information and then

determine how the parts relate to each

other and to the whole.

It helps to develop an understanding of

how things work.

Decide on the overall purpose of the

subject.

Break it down into parts.

Review by explaining it in your own

words.

A hypothesis is an interpretation of

observations.

After making observations, analyzing

and collecting data, by using the

imagination or knowledge, we can state

a explanation of the observations.

A hypothesis which is not consistent with

the data must be rejected or changed.

Collect all the data that appear to be related to the problem.

Organize the information and look for patterns.

Make a list of explanations of the observations. Identify as many explanations as you can.

Choose the explanation that is most consistent with all the available data. If two or more explanations seem to fit wit data, collect more data to decide.

Is to make groups and subgroups of data

or objects according to common

features or characteristics between

them.

When classifying you must have in

account the purpose of doing it so it

would make it easier to find and use

data.

Decide what your purpose is for

classifying.

Study the characteristics of the things to

be classified. Decide on useful criteria

for classifying.

Go through the items, and place them in

the appropriate groups.

Decide if subgroups would be useful. If

so, use the same process again.

Is a way to express ideas and concepts

as words or phrases enclosed in circles

connected by lines and one or two

words that describe the connection.

Each main idea is linked to more specific

concepts and examples.

Identify the main idea and concept.

Place the main idea at the top of the

map and enclose it. Draw lines to

connect the main idea to the concepts,

and enclose them too.

Add linking words or phrases that explain

the relationship between the concepts.

An experiment is designed to test a

hypothesis by investigating the effects of

an experimental variable.

Only one variable is analyzed in one

experiment. All other variables are kept

constant.

An experiment has two parts: The

experimental setup and the control

setup.

Follow the procedure for stating a

hypothesis.

Determine the variable you want to test.

Set up an experiment to test your

hypothesis.

Devise an experimental setup and a

control setup.

Is to compare the new idea to

something familiar.

Analogies are used to make models

Reasoning by analogies uses the skills of

comparing and contrasting.

It helps you understand new ideas.

Look at the new concept or information,

and think about its parts and its function.

Think about something familiar for you

that seems to be similar.

Try out each analogy. Identify the one

that has the most similarities.

Compare and contrast your analogy

with the new concept. See how far you

can take the analogy.

Is to draw conclusions about a broad

category of things based on a number

of experiences.

Generalizations enable you to make

predictions.

Generalizations may be the starting point

for developing a hypothesis.

Collect all the related examples you can

find of the situation you are studying.

Analyze the examples and note patterns

or similar parts.

Make all the generalizations you can

about the examples.

List the significant exceptions to the

generalizations you have made.