Transcript Packet Turn-In Directions

Name_____________
Per______Date_____
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY
NOTES
Posing a Question:

Our human curiosity leads us to problem
solving. We usually pose questions when
we try to solve problems. “I wonder why
my tomato plant died?”
Hypothesis

A possible explanation that relates to a
scientific question. In science, a
hypothesis must be testable by
observation or experiment. “I think my
tomato plant died because I didn’t water it
enough.”
Observation
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Observation involves using all 5 senses to
gather information. These senses are:
sight
hearing
touch
smell
taste
You might observe the plant wilting and
turning brown.
Data
The facts, figures and other evidence that
you learn through observation are called
data.
 Data comes in two forms, qualitative and
quantitative data.

Qualitative Data

Qualitative data is data that describes
color, odor or sound. This data does not
involve measurement or numbers.
Quantitative Data

Quantitative Data are measurements
made using standard units, such as mass
in grams (g) or denstiy in grams per cubic
centimeter (g/cm3)
Variables

All the factors that can change during an
experiment. There are three main types,
controlled variables, manipulated variables
and responding variables.
Controlled Variables

These are the variables that are kept
exactly the same in two tests. (Same kind
of plants, same amount of soil, same
amount of sunlight, etc…)
Manipulated Variable
(Independent Variable)

This is the one variable the scientist
changes. (Give one plant more water
than the other plant.)
Responding Variable

The variable that is expected to change
because of the manipulated variable. (The
tomato plant with more water grew
differently.)
Collect and record Data

Use a data table for recording numbers,
descriptions, and other observations.
Interpreting Data

Scientists identify trends or patterns within
the collected data to figure out what they
mean. (My tomato plant grew taller over
a period of days with more water.)
Drawing Conclusions:

A conclusion states whether the data
supported the hypothesis or showed it to
be false. (My hypothesis was correct; my
tomato plants did need more water to
maintain healthy growth.)