Scientific Method

Standards Describe the essential components of an investigation

Senses X 5 Make observations of an object or event using your five senses: Sight Hearing Taste Smell Touch Make a scientific record of your observations When I was studying geology in college, I did my undergrad thesis on gas emissions from volcanoes in the West Indies. The volcanoes on the islands of Dominica & St. Lucia have erupted in the past, and could erupt in the future, thus endangering the lives of the residents.

Problem Think of a problem, in the form of a question, based on your observations. The problem I decided to investigate was “how gas emissions from these volcanoes change before an eruption?” In order to know when they are undergoing changes that may be a precursor to an eruption, I decided to collect gas samples to establish a baseline of data showing what the volcanoes gas emissions are like when they are in an inactive state.

Research Gather information about the problem & organize it. Find out what is already known about the problem. This step can be simple or complex, depending on the problem & how much you already know about it. I researched all the published information about the volcanoes on Dominica & St. Lucia, as well as information on how to collect and analyze gas samples.

Hypothesis An hypothesis is a possible and reasonable explanation for your observations. It’s the answer to your question, written as a statement that explains your observations (often in the form of if____________, then_____________). It predicts what will happen when your statement is tested. My hypothesis was that the volcanoes would have gas emissions similar to other volcanoes of the same type.

Experiment Design a procedure to test your hypothesis. What will you measure? Include a control, an independent variable and a dependent variable. I designed a procedure to collect gas samples from fumaroles and bubbling pools on the volcanoes, and procedures to analyze the amounts of various gases within the samples.

Control – a standard for comparison during an experiment. Independent variable – what is manipulated during an experiment Dependent variable – what changes during an experiment

Data/Observations Collect data & record observations during your experiment. Organize information into charts, tables or graphs. I collected data during my analyses and organized that data into tables and graphs.

Conclusions Think about the results of your experiment. What do they mean? Accept, reject or revise your hypothesis. I concluded that the gas emissions are similar to other volcanoes of the same type, and that major changes in the amounts gases or the ratios of gases to each other could indicate an impending eruption.

Theory Once an hypothesis has been put through repeated tests by many different people, it may be accepted as theory.

Theory To a nonscientist, a theory and a hypothesis are the same thing. They are ideas that attempt to explain things. But to a scientist, a theory is a well-tested explanation of observations or facts. A scientific theory is verified – checked and well-tested – and generally accepted as true.

Theory Saying “it’s only a theory” shows a lack of understanding of the validity of a theory. For example, it is unlikely that you would say that gravity is “only a theory” and then proceed to step off a tall building on the assumption that you will not fall.

Mnemonic Science People Rule Here. Eagles DO Command Them.