Chapter 1 Studying Science Section 1.1 Science Skills and Methods

OBJECTIVES Identify & use science skills Describe a controlled experiment STANDARDS S4a-Big ideas and unifying concepts S5a-Frames questions to distinguish cause and effect; and identifies or controls variables in experimental and non-experimental research settings

Science Skills Observation-Use one or more of your senses to get information about your surroundings Extend observations using microscopes, telescopes, thermometers, & rulers

Infer Apply reason to explain an observation

Estimate Make a careful guess Used when exact measurements are not available

Measure Describe an observation exactly by comparing it to standard units Include both a number and unit

Predict State what you think might happen in the future Based on past experiences and observations Include reasons why

Classify Group things together based on how they are alike Group by size, color, smell, texture, shape, or any other characteristic

Hypothesize Suggest an answer to a problem based on information that is known

Record & Organize Record all observations, measurements, predictions Organize data in tables, charts, diagrams, flow charts

Analyze Look for trends or patterns Does data support inference, prediction, & hypothesis?

Experiments Process of testing a hypothesis by gathering data under controlled conditions

Controlled Experiment Compares a control group with an experimental group Control group-standard group used to compare any change Experimental group-all factors except one are kept the same

Experimental Factors Constants-factors that are kept the same Variable-factor that is changed by the person doing the experiment See page 7, Fig. 1.5