Scientific Method and Experimental Design The Process of Science Scientific Method and Experimental Design

Science as an Inquiry Science is way of knowing Inquiry is a process of investigation Curiosity leads to asking questions

Science vs Pseudoscience

Observations vs Inference Observation – the use of senses; such as vision/hearing Inferences – a logical conclusion based on observation Example: Doorbell Ringing – An Observation Someone at the Door? – Inference Unless you can see through the door Could be a short circuit.

Steps to scientific experimenting Question Do research Form a hypothesis (your own explanation) Test/Experiment Collect and record Data Analyze Data and form a conclusion Test again (many more times)

Forming and Testing a Hypothesis Hypothesis – a suggested answer to a well-defined scientific question. After having done research. An explanation on trial

Data Data - recorded observation; items of information Quantitative: Numbers (height, weight) Qualitative: Descriptive (skin color)

Designing a Controlled Experiment Variable – A condition that can differ within the experiment (color light, amount of water, pH, etc) Independent: what you are testing, manipulating (light color, types of water, pH, etc) Dependent: what you are measuring (seed growth)

Control Controlled Experiment – An experiment that test the effect of a single variable Control: what you will be using to compare your results (the normal) ex: freshwater, white light