• What is the purpose of inquiry design?

Inquiry/Experimental Design

•is a series of steps used to investigate natural occurrences/phenomena

What are the steps of the Experimental/Inquiry Design?

1. Observations2. Ask Question/

Define Problem3. Research4. Hypothesis5. Experiment6. Collect Data7. Analysis8. Conclusion/

Follow-Up

Identify the different types of Observations

• Qualitative-Using the 5 senses– Touch– Smell– Taste– Sight– Hearing

• Quantitative-Anything measurable– Scales– Rulers– Beakers

• Why is it important to do research and make observations when you identify a problem?

• It is important to conduct research on a problem you have identified so you can find out if someone has already figured out an answer.

• If there is no answer, use the research you find to create a hypothesis.

Identify Problem/Question

• What is a hypothesis?

• A hypothesis is a possible answer to a question.

• Hypotheses are typically written as an if…then…because statement.

Form a Hypothesis

How do I write a Hypothesis

• If (restate the problem)

• then (what do you predict will happen)

• because (reasons to support your prediction based on your research)

How do I write a Hypothesis

• Example: If you study a little every day, then your test scores will be higher because you have taken an active role in your education.

• What are some important things to include in an experiment?

• It is very important to include a materials list and a detailed procedure when doing an experiment.

• Experiments need to be repeated to verify the results

Experiment

Differentiate between the different groups used in an experiment.

• Control Group: Used for comparison. All variables are the same as the experimental group EXCEPT the variable you are testing

• Experimental Group: Change one variable to find out if that variable has an effect on the test subject

• What are the variables in an experiment?

• Independent Variable:

– the variable that can be controlled by the experimenter. It usually includes time (dates, minutes, hours), depth (feet, meters), temperature (Celsius).

– When Graphing; this variable is placed on the X-axis (horizontal axis).

Independent Variables

• What are the variables in an experiment?

• Dependent Variable:

–the variable that is directly affected by the independent variable.

– When Graphing; this variable is placed on the Y-axis or vertical axis.

Dependent Variables

• What are the variables in an experiment?

• Controlled Variables:

–EVERYTHING THAT REMAINS CONSTANT IN AN EXPERIMENT.

Variables

Describe the different types of Variables

Variable - Any factor that can change• Independent: The part of the experiment that

YOU (the experimenter) change (X-axis)

• Dependent: The part of the experiment that you measure (Y-axis)

• Controlled: Parts of the experiment that remain constant in both groups

• What are trials?

• Trials refer to replicate groups that are exposed to the same conditions in an experiment.

• The greater number of trials increases the validity of the experiment.

Trials

• How should data be collected? • Collect data throughout the

experiment.• Put data into data tables and/or

graphs. (TAILS)

Collect Data and Analyze Results

• What should the conclusion consist of?

• The conclusion is a written statement that states whether the hypothesis was accepted or rejected.

• The conclusion should also contain recommendations for further studies or improvements to the procedure.

Conclusion