Transcript How Science Is Done

How Science Is Done
The Scientific Method
A standardized way of asking
and answering questions
Allows results to be shared
and verified
The Steps
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Observe/Ask a question
Make a hypothesis/prediction
Test the hypothesis
Analyze the data
Draw a conclusion
Publish results
1. Observation
Use what you know and what
you observe to come up with
a question
To observe = to gain
information through one of
the senses
2. Hypothesis
A possible explanation or
answer to the question
An educated guess
MUST be testable
Allows you to make a
prediction
3. Experiment
A test of the hypothesis
Usually controlled
The results will answer the
question or show if the
hypothesis is right or wrong
Controlled experiment
2 groups
Control group
 Experimental group

All conditions must be the
same for the two groups
except the factor you’re
testing
Controlled experiment
Independent variable
= condition that is changed
between the two groups
 = what you are testing

Dependent variable
= what you observe or measure
 = your results

Experimental design
Not all experiments can be
controlled experiments
Some are more observational
Depends on type of question
being asked
Collecting Data
Data = information obtained
from an experiment
Can be numerical

= quantitative research
Can be verbal

= qualitative research
SI Units
International system of
measurements
Used in science so results
can be universally understood
Decimal system
Collecting Data
What is an example of a
topic for quantitative
research?
Qualitative?
4. Analysis
Use statistics on data
Graphs and charts
Compare control and
experimental groups
5. Conclusion
Was hypothesis correct?

Yes/no/more data needed
Explain results
Compare with other studies
6. Publish results
Information must be shared
with scientific community
Allows results to be verified
Leads to further questions
and studies
Scientific theory
A hypothesis that is
supported by large amount of
evidence from many studies
No contrary evidence
Law
A theory that is generally
known to be true
A theory that has never been
repeatedly violated
NOT proven beyond a doubt
SI Units
Measurement
Unit
Abbrev.
Length
Weight (mass)
Volume
Time
Temperature
Meter
Gram
Liter
Second
Celsius degree
m
g
l
s
°C
SI Units
1 km = _________ m
100 g = _________ mg
10 ml = _________ L
SI Units
350 m = _________ km
6400 mg = _________ kg
16 L = _________ ml