Chapter 1 Scientific Method

Scientific Method Ask Question Do Background Research Construct Hypothesis Test with Experiment Analyze Results and Draw Conclusion Hypothesis False (Partially True) Report Results Hypothesis True Think Again and Reevaluate

What is an experiment? Investigation that tests a hypothesis by the process of collecting information under controlled conditions.

Controlled Experiment Experiment with a “control” group Control is the constant against which variables are compared The “control” group is the one that is under the considered “normal” conditions An experiment where only one variable is changed at a time

Using Tools Tools are those objects that are used to help conduct an experiment. Regular scientific tools (beakers, hotplates) Irregular scientific tools designed specifically for an experiment (tinfoil and scissors)

Designing an Experiment Independent Variable is the condition in an experiment which is tested Dependent Variable is the condition that changes based on changes made to the independent variable. Control Group: The group that is not changed Controlled experiment primarily conducted in lab setting Not all experiments can be controlled, such as those conducted directly in nature

Data Gathering Information obtained from investigations is called data Can be in numerical data such as measurements (time, temperature, count) Verbal form is terms of descriptions Must be meticulously documented

Reporting Results Writing results for journals Uploading to databases Ensuring they are available for examination by other scientists

Thinking About It Analyzing the data Reviewing the hypothesis Creating a conclusion Determining if conclusion meets/doesn’t meet the hypothesis

Verifying Results Other scientists follow the process of an experiment and come out with the same results

Theories and Laws Theory Law Explanation of a natural phenomenon that is supported by a large body of scientific evidence Natural laws that are known to be true Gravity