Unit 1-Inquiry

What is the Scientific Method?

OThe scientific method is a process for experimentation that is used to explore observations and answer questions.

O In other words, it’s a way to solve a problem.

Steps in the Scientific Method

1. Observations2. Identify the Problem3. Form Hypothesis4. Experiment5. Gather and analyze data6. Draw Conclusion

Step 1: ObservationOThe act of noting or perceiving objects or events using the senses.

Look, Observe, Analyze

Step 2: Identify the problem

OObservations raise questions

What is the problem?What are you trying to

solve?

Step 3: Form a Hypothesis

Oan educated guessOA suggested solution to the problem.

OMust be testableOPredicts an outcome

OSometimes written as If…(IV goes here), Then… (DV goes here)

Variables

Variables are things that change.

Independent Variable

• manipulated variable• A factor that’s intentionally

varied by the experimenter.

Dependent Variable

o the factor that is measured.

may change as a result of the independent variable.

is the same for every group in the experiment

Scientists create and conduct experiments to test

their hypothesis.

Experimental Design

To get conclusive test results, experimenters rely

on certain practices.

Control Group the group that serves as the

standard of comparison.may be a “no treatment" or an

“experimenter selected” group. is exposed to the same

conditions as the experimental group, except for the IV.

The Control in an Experiment

What is a control?

The part of the experiment that serves as the standard of

comparison.Why is a control necessary?

It is the unchanged part of the experiment that detects the effects of

hidden variables.

Experimental Group

Group that receives experimental treatment

May be several smaller groups that each receives different amounts of the IV.

Measures the same DV as the control group.

Constants in an ExperimentWhat are constants in an experiment?

Factors that are kept the same and not allowed to change

Gather and analyze data

OData-Results of the experimentOMay be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative.

OData must be organized in order to be useful.

OCan be organized into charts, tables, or graphs

Which Graph Should I Use?

USE A BAR GRAPHTo compare data on similar things

USE A LINE GRAPHTo show changes and trends over time.

USE A CIRCLE GRAPHTo show parts of a whole.

Graph set up

Title

Title for the Independent Variable – include units and an appropriate

scale

Title for the Dependent Variable – include units and an appropriate scale

y

x

Constructing a GraphWhat is the purpose of a graph?

Graphs communicate in pictorial form the data collected in an experiment

Scientific Measurement

In science, measurement is the process of obtaining the size or amount of an object relative to a unit of measurement.

The term can also be used to refer to the result obtained after performing the process.

Can you name some units that we use?

Liquid ______________________

Mass ______________________

Length ______________________

Temperature __________________

Time ________________________

In the metric system, we will be using the following terms: Grams (Mass)Liters (Volume)Meters (Length)Seconds (Time)Degrees Celsius (Temperature).

Metric System

Metric SystemOfficial Name: International

System of Units (SI)

was devised by French scientists in the late 18th century.

goal -to produce a single unified system that could be used throughout the entire world.

Metric System

is based on a base unit that corresponds to a certain kind of measurementLength = meterVolume = literWeight (Mass) = gram

Prefixes plus base units make up the metric system Example:

Centi + meter = Centimeter Kilo + liter = Kiloliter

Metric Prefixes Kilo (k)meaning 103

hecto(h) meaning 102

deka (da) meaning 101

BASE UNIT---meters, Liters, grams

deci (d) meaning 10-1

centi (c)meaning 10-2

milli (m) meaning 10-3

micro(u) meaning 10-6

“King Henry died by drinking chocolate milk!’

Move decimal RIGHT

Move decimal Left

Draw ConclusionsOWhat did you find the answer to the question was?

OAccept or Reject your hypothesis.

OIt is OK if it turns out that your hypothesis was not correct.

Possible Experimental Errors

What factors in your materials or procedure might have had an impact on your

results?

Once a scientist completes an experiment, they often repeat it to see if they get the same findings and results.

OThis is really what we call verification, or checking things out to make sure everything was valid and will happen again and again.

Errorsmistakes made during the

experiment

Types of errorsSampling – when there are not enough

members of a population studied. The larger the population studied, the less likely for a mistake to have been made.

Human – any mistake the researcher makes during the experiment. This can include wrong measurements, not following directions, etc…

Retest

In order to verify the results,

experiments must be retested.

Scientists share their experiments and findings with others.

O Because they share their experiments and findings, scientists can learn from each other and often use someone else’s experiences to help them with what they are studying or doing.