The Scientific Method Short Video of Big Bang Theory: click on picture
Steps in the Scientific Method Observe and ask a Question Form a Hypothesis
Hypotheses Educated Guess Observation Research Literature Hypotheses are tentative scientific explanations for a set of observations that can be tested
THEORY LAWS FACTS HYPOTHESIS Video link to a Short video to explain differences in facts, laws, etc under “FACTS” FACTS
Steps in the Scientific Method Observe and ask a Question Form a Hypothesis Controlled Experiment
Controlled Experiments Only one variable is changed Variable – factors that change Independent variable: manipulated Dependent variable: Responding Measured
Scientific Methodology Design controlled experiment Two test groups 1. Experimental group – Independent variable changed 2. Control group – Independent variable NOT changed
Situation 1 Smithers thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He creates two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an hour, Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks. Control group: Experimental group: Independent variable: Dependent variable: Conclusion: Let a student read the scenario out loud and give the students time to write down their guesses for the bulleted points on their own scrap piece of paper.
Situation 2 Control group: Experimental group: Independent variable: Krusty was told that a certain itching powder was the newest best thing on the market, it even claims to cause 50% longer lasting itches. Interested in this product, he buys the itching powder and compares it to his usual product. One test subject (A) is sprinkled with the original itching powder, and another test subject (B) was sprinkled with the Experimental itching powder. Subject A reported having itches for 30 minutes. Subject B reported to have itches for 45 minutes. Control group: Experimental group: Independent variable: Dependent variable: Conclusion: Let a student read the scenario out loud and give the students time to write down their guesses for the bulleted points on their own scrap piece of paper.
Steps in the Scientific Method Observe and ask a Question Form a Hypothesis Controlled Experiment Collect & Analyze Data
The Amount of Defective Cars Produced in Car Factories Graphs 1. Bar Graph The Amount of Defective Cars Produced in Car Factories Bar Graphs One time comparisons Often categories Can be numerical too! Talk about dep & indep variables & when to use a bar graph
Graphs 2. Line Graph Line Graphs Show change over time Often numerical data Talk about dep & indep variables & when to use a line graph
Ask which graph better represents the data & why Amount Ask which graph better represents the data & why
Plotting Data DRY MIX: DRY(Dependent Responding variable on Y-AXIS) & MIX (Manipulated Independent on X-AXIS)
Talk about dep & indep variables & Purpose of experiment…results Talk about dep & indep variables & Purpose of experiment…results. Try to point out all information about the experiment should be able to be extrapolated from a graph. (Importance of TITLE)
Steps in the Scientific Method Observe and ask a Question Form a Hypothesis Controlled Experiment Collect & Analyze Data Draw Conclusion Publish Results
Publish Results Primary Literature Peer reviewed