Scientific Inquiry and the Scientific MethodUnderstanding the World Around Us

Vocabulary Introduction

Observation (Facts)

Definition

Examples

•Observations/Facts you make with your senses that you know to be true.•Quantitative: numbers•Qualitative: descriptions that cannot be put in numbers

Vocabulary Introduction

Theory

Definition

Examples

•A time-tested concept that makes predictions about the natural world. Once proposed, it must be tested over again. It may be thrown out or modified.

Vocabulary Introduction

Law

Definition

Examples

•If a theory survives many tests it becomes a law. It summarizes observed experimental facts.

Vocabulary Introduction

Inferring

Definition

Examples

•An explanation or interpretation of observations.•Inferences are based on reasoning, not random guessing

Vocabulary Introduction

Prediction

Definition

Examples

•A forecast of what will happen in the future•Based on past evidence or observations.

Vocabulary Introduction

Observation(Facts)

Theory Law

Definition Definition Definition

Examples Examples Examples

•Observations/Facts you make with your senses that you know to be true.•Quantitative: numbers•Qualitative: descriptions that cannot be put in numbers

•A time-tested concept that makes predictions about the natural world. Once proposed, it must be tested over again. It may be thrown out or modified.

•If a theory survives many tests it becomes a law. It summarizes observed experimental facts.

Vocabulary Introduction

Inferring Prediction

Definition Definition

Examples Examples

•An explanation or interpretation of observations.•Inferences are based on reasoning, not random guessing

•A forecast of what will happen in the future•Based on past evidence or observations.

Steps of Scientific Inquiry Uses senses to make observations. Makes inferences or predictions based on

observations. Research the topic Form a hypothesis Design a controlled experiment to test the

hypothesis Perform the experiment and record data Draw a conclusion

Hypothesis is Accepted

Hypothesis is Rejected

Go back and redesign your hypothesis

Becomes a Theory

Accepted many times and proven mathematically

Becomes a Law

Variable • The one part of an experiment that is manipulated by the scientist

• Present in the experimental group, not present in the control group.

• Example:If you were testing the strength of different paper towels (like you did last year) the type of paper towel will be the variable.

A Controlled Experiment Has…

Control Group

Setup according to “normal” conditions

Experimental Group

Same as the Control Group, but with the variable

• They are exactly the same except for the experimental group having the variable(the one difference)

• The larger the sample size, the more accurate the results

Important Points:

Describe in detail your control group

Describe in detail your experimental group

What conditions are the same between both?

What is the variable (the one difference between the groups)?

Describe in detail your control group

Describe in detail your experimental group

Hypothesis Formation

If The conditions you are setting up (control group vs. experimental group)

Then Your predicted results. (what you think will happen)

Because

Your explanation for your predicted results. (why)

Independent Variable

The manipulated/experimental variable

This variable is the one you manipulate

What you the scientist can change

DependentVariable

The responding variableThis is what you measure in

the experimentThis variable’s value

depends on the independent variable. It shows the results of your manipulation

Experiment…Does adding

coffee grinds to plants help them grow faster?

Do people prefer Jerry’s Pizza or Lucio’s Pizza?

Dep:_____________

Ind:_____________

Dep:_____________

Ind:_____________

Data TablesTo Properly Create a Data Table

1. Title◦ The title must describe what is being

done. It must be in the following form.The Relationship Between the Independent

Variable and the Dependent Variable

2. Columns & Rows:◦ Determine the number of rows and

columns ◦ First row is for headings◦ 1st Column Independent Variable◦ 2nd Column Dependent Variable

Data Tables cont..To Properly Create a Data Table

3. Labels Label each column (what does

the data represent)4. Units

Put units for the numbers Example: ml, cm, etc…

5. Sort Data Place in an order, either least to

greatest or greatest to least.

Constructing a GraphTitle

Axis Labels and Units

The Relationship Between the Independent and the Dependent Variable

The independent variable goes on the x-axis (horizontal) and the dependent goes on the y-axis (vertical

Depende

nt

Variable

IndependentVariable

Constructing a Graph cont..

Line Graph vs. Bar Graph• Bar Graphs are used to graph

information that is not continuous. • Example: Mrs. Fugarino believes that

student’s behavior in class is directly related to the teacher’s hair color. She conducted a study and discovered the following results which are graphed below.

Steps of Scientific Inquiry

Uses senses to make observations.

Makes inferences or predictions based on observations.

Research the Topic

Form a Hypothesis

Design a controlled experiment to test the hypothesis

Perform the experiment

Record dataDraw a Conclusion

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