Scientific Investigation

When would we use scientific investigation?

Observations & Inferences

A test of your observation skills…

Observations

   Use one or more of the 5 senses to gather information Note and record … FACTS!!!

In science, observations should never be emotional.

    Write 3 examples from this classroom: 1.

3.

2.

Inferences

 Logical interpretation based upon prior knowledge and experience  Based upon observations List 3 inferences in the classroom 1. Just because the famous actor was seen in a jewelry store, all the tabloids inferred he's going to ask his singer girlfriend to marry him.

Note the Differences • In laboratory exercises, record observations

NOT

inferences • Inferences may be used when writing the conclusion in your lab report

Let ’s test your observation skills…

Take a good look at this picture

Question 1 Are there cars parked on the sides of the road?

Question 2 What color is the pickup truck driving in the road?

Question 3 Any minivans around?

Question 4 What's the speed limit?

Question 5 Are there any pedestrians on the road?

1. Yes 2. Blue 3. Yes 4. 35 mph 5. No Answers

1. There is a representation of a face on one side of the coin.

2. The Latin word "Dei" means "God." 3. The coin was made by deeply religious people.

4. The date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin.

5. The coin was made in 1722.

More examples What observations can we make about this picture?

What can we infer based on this picture?

How many legs does the elephant have?

Who is in this picture?

• Do you see former President Bill Clinton and Al Gore?

• Actually, it’s Clinton’s face twice with 2 different hair cuts!

Find 3 Differences..

Find 3 Differences..

Does the square have curved sides?

Where are those dots coming from?!

Your brain!

Look at the chart and say the color, NOT the word

Your right brain tried to say the color, but your left brain was reading the word.

Read across..

These circles are not moving, your brain is making them appear to move. Try focusing on one circle. It will stop moving.

Are these dots moving?

What is a Hypothesis?

Some say its an educated guess?

Think of some examples… Can you test those? A hypothesis isn't an educated guess. It is a tentative explanation for an observation or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation

How to write a Hypothesis How does this sound? Bacterial growth may be affected by temperature.

How can you prove that? If temperature is increased then bacterial growth will increase

If….then Write this question so that it is testable: Does spending more time on Homework increase your chances of getting an ‘A’ in Biology?

If I spend 1 hour each night doing homework then I will get an “A” in biology.

If…then If winds reach over 74 MPH then a storm is considered a hurricane. Pompton Lakes, NJ Hurricane Irene? Tropical Storm Irene?

Qualitative Quantitative Data Qual itative → Qual ity Quant itative → Quant ity • • • Deals with descriptions.

Data can be observed but not • measured.

• • Colors, textures, smells, tastes, appearance, beauty, etc.

Deals with numbers.

Data which can be measured.

Length, height, area, volume, weight, speed, time, temperature, humidity, sound levels, cost, members, ages, etc.

-Red -Spots -Smells like rotting meat -Fleshy texture Qualitative/Quantitative Arnoldii Rafflesia- Largest Flower in the world - smells like rotting meat -80 cm (about 2 1/2 feet) in Diameter - 9 kg (20 lbs) -Flowering lasts for 5-7 days

Law vs Theory Law- A law generalizes a body of observations. principle that appears to be without exception at the time it is mad Law of Gravity Theory- A scientific theory summarizes a hypothesis or group of hypotheses that have been supported with repeated testing Theory of Evolution

Theory/Law Both a scientific theory and a scientific law are accepted to be true by the scientific community as a whole In fact, some laws, such as the law of gravity, can also be theories when taken more generally The scientific definition of the word "theory" is different from the colloquial sense of the word.

Presenting Data Table vs.Graph Why do you think information is often presented in graphs instead of just in a list or table?

What are some kinds of graphs? • • • • Bar graph Line graph Pie chart Histogram

What is the best way to present this data? Dec-04 1 Dec-05 5.5

Dec-06 12 Dec-07 50 Aug-08 100 Apr-09 200 Jul-09 250 Sep-09 Dec-09 Feb-10 Jul-10 Sept-10 300 350 450 500 550 Jan-11 600 Feb-11 650 Jun-11 750

Bar Graph

Data Energy in New Jersey 51% Nuclear 33% Natural Gas 14% Coal 2% Renewable ( Solar/Wind/ Hydroelectric) 1% Oil

Pie Chart

Difference between a bar graph and a line graph?

A line graph is a graph used to show change

over time

Would we use a line graph in the following situations: To show how many people like pizza in this class?

To show how much it rained each month this year?

Would we use a line graph to show when our birthdays are?

Our birthday does deal with time doesn ’t it? (months/years) A line graph shows change in time , so we would not use it for this type of graph.

Line Graphs Which should you use in science?

If you want to connect the dots… do this one instead

What do you see? Hint : There are 3 images.

1. An old lady 2. A young woman 3. A man with a big brown mustache

Take a very close look at the 2 vertical lines.

Is one line is longer than the other?

They are the SAME length!

Compare this picture to the next one…

What ’s the difference?

What do you see?

Can you build these shelves?

What do you see?

Can you stack these blocks?

What animal do you perceive?

A Duck, Bunny, or BOTH?

This image contains a picture and a word. Do you see both of them?

What do you see?

What images do you see?

Can you pick the tallest soldier?

They are all the same height!

What do you see?

The Landscape of Faces

Do you see the face on Earth?

How about now?