What is it, why does it matter, and thinking like a scientist PLM 1.0 Scientific Method What is it, why does it matter, and thinking like a scientist

Discuss with your lab partner: What you already know about the Scientific Method What is it? Why does it matter? List the steps you already know.

Scientific Method Observation Using your senses…does something puzzle you? This usually leads to a question. Problem Statement: A more refined version of your question looking for “cause and effect.” Hypothesis—a testable explanation to answer question/solve problem Are you observant? Do you ask a lot of questions? Do you wonder WHY??? Good vs. bad hypothesis Discuss examples of using sci method…alternate fuels (corn for fuel vs. algae) Math in chemistry—balancing, massing, problem solving

Scientific Method HYPOTHESIS: Add this definition to the last page of the note packet for, your reference Takes the format of : IF…THEN…BECAUSE IF…I change my MV… THEN…I think (predict) that I will see certain results… BECAUSE…of a scientific principle or fact…

Scientific Method cont. Design Experiment—procedure used to test the hypothesis Collect Data – using the procedure, carefully collect relevant data.

Scientific Method

Scientific Method cont. Analyze Data – Do you have to calculate anything? Does your data show a trend? Look at your averages. Do you see an increasing trend? Do the values stay the same? Do the values decrease? Do you need a graph? Graphs can sometimes show trends. Different types of data may require different types of graphs. Is all of your data valid?

Scientific Method cont. Draw a Conclusion – Relate your data to your hypothesis (Was it supported or not supported by the data?)

What comes of this? Theory vs. Law You do this EVERYDAY!! Theory—tested by numerous experiments but modified as needed. Theory of Evolution Law—usually a math formula summary of the results of many observations and experiments Law of Gravity You do this EVERYDAY!!

Conclusions in Detail A good conclusion should: Restate the hypothesis State if the hypothesis was supported or not supported by the data. Describe the value of the response (RV) …when the MV was at its lowest value. Describe the value of the response (RV) …when the MV was at its highest value. Explain the relationship between the manipulated and responding variables.