Transcript Scientific Method Lab

REASONING IN SCIENCE (AND QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS)
Scientific method- is the way scientists learn
and study the world around them
Scientific method starts with asking a
questions and then trying to come up with the
answers
These questions need to be able to be answered
by observing and gathering evidence,
measureable in some way
Observations- gathering information by using
your senses
Valid- truthful and confirmed, correct and
accurate
EXPERIMENTAL EVIDENCE
Hypothesis- educated guess
Experiment must use controls that are quantitative (numbers,
not emotions).
Science needs both the hypothesis and results to move forward.
Scientists examine the data and develop newer ideas.
Data- facts, figures, and evidence gathered through observations
This process leads to more observations and tweaking of the
hypotheses.
THE WHOLE PROCESS
Hypothesis- a statement that uses a observations to
make a guess without experimental evidence
Theory- uses observations and has experimental
evidence, flexible enough to be modified if new
data/evidence introduced
Law- stands the test of time, without change,
confirmed over and over, creates true predictions for
different situations, is uniform and universal
Models have some experimental validity or is a
scientific concept that is only accurate under limited
situations.
Models do not work or apply under all situations in all
environments.
QUESTION 1:
The scientific method was developed to help scientists
organize the process of solving problems.
True
False
TRUE
• Scientific method is an objective step-by-step way of
looking at natural events
• Use these methods and procedures to explain and
answer questions
• Scientific method can be used to prove or disprove
statements made by others
• Requires observable and quantifiable evidence and
data.
QUESTION 2:
Which of these is not a step of the scientific method?
Hypothesis
Experiment
Conclusion
Plagiary
Plagiary
• Start with a problem or question
• Then develop a hypothesis that offers an answer to the
question
• Develop and perform an experiment
• Record your results
• Analyze results and develop a conclusion that answers the
original question
QUESTION 3:
Which of these words would you NOT associate with the
scientific method?
Disorganized
Organized
Data
Control
Disorganized
• The scientific method is an organized way to help scientists
(and everyone) solve problems
• As you complete an experiment that tests variables and
has controls, you record data and results.
QUESTION 4:
A hypothesis is...
A Random Thought
An Answer
An Educated Guess
An Experiment
An Educated Guess
• A hypothesis is an educated guess that offers a possible
answer to a problem
• An experiment is developed to prove the accuracy of the
hypothesis
QUESTION 5:
Which of these would be called results?
Number of Fruit Flies
Counting Fruit Flies
Seeing Fruit Flies on an Apple
Wondering Why a Fruit Fly was Born
Number of Fruit Flies
• The number of fruit flies would be the only results. The
other choices are all steps in the process (Hypothesis,
Experiment, Observation).
QUESTION 6:
What do you do to test a hypothesis?
Guess
Create a Spreadsheet with Data
Publish a Scientific Paper
Design an Experiment
Design an Experiment
• Conduct a series of procedures to test any hypothesis
• Developed experiment uses variables (changing factors)
and controls (unchanging examples)
QUESTION 7:
A control group is used as a comparison to the group
where things (variables) are changing.
True
False
TRUE
• The control group is a group that is not experimented on
• The bread without water is the control group
• They are used as a baseline or static group in the
experiment
QUESTION 8:
An independent variable is a factor that changes because of
procedures conducted on the dependent variable.
True
False
FALSE
• A dependent variable (responding variable) is a factor that
may change because of what is done to the independent
variable (manipulated variable)
• independent variable (manipulated variable) is the variable
you change on purpose
QUESTION 9:
Experiments are usually conducted one time and by one
team to speed up the scientific process.
True
False
FALSE
• Experiments are performed hundreds to times before a
scientific statement is accepted as a truth.
• The experiment would be performed using the same
procedures
• To prove the hypothesis, the other testing team must be
able to generate the same results.
QUESTION 10:
Experiments often test multiple variables.
True
False
FALSE
• Experiments test for one variable
• If you have multiple variables you do not know what caused
the difference
LOGICAL REASONING
Arguments- statements
Logic shows the relationships between the
parts of an idea and the whole idea
(example if you understand how animals
interact with each other then you are able to
better understand the whole ecosystem)
Scientific method is a rational, logical thought process that is used
to figure out facts and truths
All of the answers must be able to be proved
If multiple scientists do the experiment and the answer is different,
someone did something wrong and everyone starts all over again.
INDUCTIVE REASONING
• It is in two parts:
1. Start with specifics and come up with a
theory. That's deductive reasoning
2. When you apply it to new areas, it is
inductive reasoning
• You organize data into categories based on
what they have in common
• In inductive reasoning your conclusions have
more information than the facts you use
• You start with dozens of observed examples,
take a leap, and assume millions of possible
examples
• If the conclusion is true, then new assumptions
are true
OTHER VOCABULARY
• Scientific inquiry- refers to the ways scientists
investigate the world and explain them based on
evidence they gather
• Variables- factors that can change in an experiment
• Controlled experiment- only one variable is manipulated
• Manipulated variable- independent variable
• Responding variable- dependent variable
• Control- the group that is not manipulated or changed
• Operational definition- a statement that describes how
to measure a variable or define a term
• Communicating- sharing of ideas and findings through
writings or speaking