Key idea: Science is a process of inquiry. The Scientific Method Key idea: Science is a process of inquiry.

This may lead to new observations. Testing Predictions This may lead to new observations. Asking Questions Observations lead to questions that can be studied. Making Observations These may involve natural phenomena or measurements made and results found in prior experiments. Designing an Investigation Investigations, which can occur in the lab as experiments or the field, are designed to test predictions made in the hypothesis. Forming a Hypothesis It offers an explanation for your observation and makes predictions for the results of your experiment.

The Scientific Method Observation:

The Scientific Method Observation: use of one or more of the senses to gather information

The Scientific Method Observation: use of one or more of the senses to gather information When scientists notice patterns in observations or an observation that does not fit a patter, scientists begin to ask questions about why they observed what they did.

The Scientific Method Hypothesis:

The Scientific Method Hypothesis: a possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question

The Scientific Method Hypothesis: a possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question A good hypothesis:

The Scientific Method Hypothesis: a possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question A good hypothesis: Offers an explanation for an observation.

The Scientific Method Hypothesis: a possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question A good hypothesis: Offers an explanation for an observation. Is written as a definite statement and not as a question.

The Scientific Method Hypothesis: a possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question A good hypothesis: Offers an explanation for an observation. Is written as a definite statement and not as a question. Is testable by experimentation.

The Scientific Method Hypothesis: a possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question A good hypothesis: Offer an explanation for an observation. Be written as a definite statement and not as a question. Be testable by experimentation. Lead to predictions about the system.

The Scientific Method Hypothesis: a possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question A good hypothesis: Offer an explanation for an observation. Be written as a definite statement and not as a question. Be testable by experimentation. Lead to predictions about the system. Prediction:

The Scientific Method Hypothesis: a possible explanation for a set of observations or possible answer to a scientific question A good hypothesis: Offer an explanation for an observation. Be written as a definite statement and not as a question. Be testable by experimentation. Lead to predictions about the system. Prediction: an educated guess about a possible outcome

Scenario A student noticed that slugs were often found in moist areas when she went looking for them. From this observation, she formulated the hypothesis stated below. Describe two features that make this a good hypothesis. The location of slugs is influenced by the moisture level of their habitat.

The location of slugs is influenced by the moisture level of their habitat. Feature #1: Feature #2:

The location of slugs is influenced by the moisture level of their habitat. Feature #1: It is testable Feature #2:

The location of slugs is influenced by the moisture level of their habitat. Feature #1: It is testable Feature #2: It can lead to predictions about the locations of slugs

The location of slugs is influenced by the moisture level of their habitat. Feature #1: It is testable Feature #2: It can lead to predictions about the locations of slugs Generate a prediction from this hypothesis: If the hypothesis is true, then we should observe

The location of slugs is influenced by the moisture level of their habitat. Feature #1: It is testable Feature #2: It can lead to predictions about the locations of slugs Generate a prediction from this hypothesis: If the hypothesis is true, then we should observe more slugs in moist areas than dry areas.

Experiment

Experiment A controlled test or series of tests to determine the validity of a hypothesis

Experiment A controlled test or series of tests to determine the validity of a hypothesis A controlled experiment contains two groups:

Experiment A controlled test or series of tests to determine the validity of a hypothesis A controlled experiment contains two groups: An experimental group or A control group or

Experiment A controlled test or series of tests to determine the validity of a hypothesis A controlled experiment contains two groups: An experimental group or the group in which a variable is applied (something is changed) A control group or

Experiment A controlled test or series of tests to determine the validity of a hypothesis A controlled experiment contains two groups: An experimental group or the group in which a variable is applied (something is changed) A control group or the group in which nothing is changed; used for comparison purposes

Experiment The control and experimental groups are designed to be identical except for one variable called the:

Experiment The control and experimental groups are designed to be identical except for one variable called the: Independent variable:

Experiment The control and experimental groups are designed to be identical except for one variable called the: Independent variable: factor in an experiment that a scientist purposely changes

Experiment The control and experimental groups are designed to be identical except for one variable called the: Independent variable: factor in an experiment that a scientist purposely changes Independent variable is what I change.

Experiment Changes in the independent variable result in changes in the:

Experiment Changes in the independent variable result in changes in the: Dependent variable:

Experiment Changes in the independent variable result in changes in the: Dependent variable: the factor in an experiment that a scientist wants to observe, which may change because of the manipulated variable.

Experiment Changes in the independent variable result in changes in the: Dependent variable: the factor in an experiment that a scientist wants to observe, which may change because of the manipulated variable. How the dependent variable changes depends on or is influenced by how the independent variable changes. It is you data, or what you measure or observe.

Lets practice… The location of slugs is influenced by the moisture level of their habitat.

Let’s practice… The location of slugs is influenced by the moisture level of their habitat. If we wanted to test this hypothesis…

Let’s practice… The location of slugs is influenced by the moisture level of their habitat. If we wanted to test this hypothesis… What would the independent variable be in the slug experiment?

Let’s practice… The location of slugs is influenced by the moisture level of their habitat. If we wanted to test this hypothesis… What would the independent variable be in the slug experiment? Moisture level

Let’s practice… The location of slugs is influenced by the moisture level of their habitat. If we wanted to test this hypothesis… What would the independent variable be in the slug experiment? Moisture level What would the dependent variable be in the slug experiment?

Let’s practice… The location of slugs is influenced by the moisture level of their habitat. If we wanted to test this hypothesis… What would the independent variable be in the slug experiment? Moisture level What would the dependent variable be in the slug experiment? Location of the slugs

Having trouble determining the independent and dependent variables?

Having trouble determining the independent and dependent variables? Rephrase the hypothesis:

Having trouble determining the independent and dependent variables? Rephrase the hypothesis: “If we change , then we will observe/measure that changes.

Having trouble determining the independent and dependent variables? Rephrase the hypothesis: “If we change the moisture level , then we will observe/measure that changes.

Having trouble determining the independent and dependent variables? Rephrase the hypothesis: “If we change the moisture level , then we will observe/measure that the location of the slugs changes.

Having trouble determining the independent and dependent variables? Rephrase the hypothesis: “If we change the moisture level , then we will observe/measure that the location of the slugs changes. Remember the independent variable is what we change, and the dependent variable is what we observe or measure.

Your turn… Let’s design an experiment to test the hypothesis about slug distribution. We obtain 6 slugs, a terrarium with soil, some leaves, and some water as our materials.

Your turn… Let’s design an experiment to test the hypothesis about slug distribution. We obtain 6 slugs, a terrarium with soil, some leaves, and some water as our materials. What should our experimental treatment be?

Your turn… Let’s design an experiment to test the hypothesis about slug distribution. We obtain 6 slugs, a terrarium with soil, some leaves, and some water as our materials. What should our experimental treatment be? Changing the amount of water in the terrarium

Your turn… Let’s design an experiment to test the hypothesis about slug distribution. We obtain 6 slugs, a terrarium with soil, some leaves, and some water as our materials. What should our experimental treatment be? Changing the amount of water in the terrarium What should our set up look like?

Because only one variable should be changed in an experiment, what environmental conditions should we ensure are the same in each side of our terrarium?

Because only one variable should be changed in an experiment, what environmental conditions should we ensure are the same in each side of our terrarium? What would happen if we changed more than one variable in our set up?

Data Qualitative: Ex. Quantitative:

Data Evidence; information gathered from observations Qualitative: Ex. Quantitative:

Data Evidence; information gathered from observations Qualitative: descriptive and non-numerical Ex. Quantitative:

Data Evidence; information gathered from observations Qualitative: descriptive and non-numerical Ex. The color of an object Quantitative: Ex.

Data Evidence; information gathered from observations Qualitative: descriptive and non-numerical Ex. The color of an object Quantitative: measurements or counts can be made Ex.

Data Evidence; information gathered from observations Qualitative: descriptive and non-numerical Ex. The color of an object Quantitative: measurements or counts can be made Ex. The length of an object

In our slug experiment, we want to measure the distribution of slugs In our slug experiment, we want to measure the distribution of slugs. How would we go about doing that?

In our slug experiment, we want to measure the distribution of slugs In our slug experiment, we want to measure the distribution of slugs. How would we go about doing that? Count the number of slugs in the different areas

In our slug experiment, we want to measure the distribution of slugs In our slug experiment, we want to measure the distribution of slugs. How would we go about doing that? Count the number of slugs in the different areas Would our data be qualitative or quantitative?

In our slug experiment, we want to measure the distribution of slugs In our slug experiment, we want to measure the distribution of slugs. How would we go about doing that? Count the number of slugs in the different areas Would our data be qualitative or quantitative? Quantitative

In our slug experiment, we want to measure the distribution of slugs In our slug experiment, we want to measure the distribution of slugs. How would we go about doing that? Count the number of slugs in the different areas Would our data be qualitative or quantitative? Quantitative Once the data has been collected, we can determine whether the data or our hypothesis. We cannot say that our data proves that our hypothesis is correct because another experiment with new data could alter our conclusion.

In our slug experiment, we want to measure the distribution of slugs In our slug experiment, we want to measure the distribution of slugs. How would we go about doing that? Count the number of slugs in the different areas Would our data be qualitative or quantitative? Quantitative Once the data has been collected, we can determine whether the data supports or our hypothesis. We cannot say that our data proves that our hypothesis is correct because another experiment with new data could alter our conclusion.

In our slug experiment, we want to measure the distribution of slugs In our slug experiment, we want to measure the distribution of slugs. How would we go about doing that? Count the number of slugs in the different areas Would our data be qualitative or quantitative? Quantitative Once the data has been collected, we can determine whether the data supports or refutes our hypothesis. We cannot say that our data proves that our hypothesis is correct because another experiment with new data could alter our conclusion.

Importance of Sample Size and Replication If you only run an experimental set up once, there is a chance that could have been some sort of error that may have skewed your results. To lessen this problem, you can:

Importance of Sample Size and Replication If you only run an experimental set up once, there is a chance that could have been some sort of error that may have skewed your results. To lessen this problem, you can: Increase the number of trials or

Importance of Sample Size and Replication If you only run an experimental set up once, there is a chance that could have been some sort of error that may have skewed your results. To lessen this problem, you can: Increase the number of trials or how many times you complete the experiment

Importance of Sample Size and Replication If you only run an experimental set up once, there is a chance that could have been some sort of error that may have skewed your results. To lessen this problem, you can: Increase the number of trials or how many times you complete the experiment Example: Increase the number times you set up the slugs.

Importance of Sample Size and Replication If you only run an experimental set up once, there is a chance that could have been some sort of error that may have skewed your results. To lessen this problem, you can: Increase the number of trials or how many times you complete the experiment Example: Increase the number times you set up the slugs. Increase the sample size or

Importance of Sample Size and Replication If you only run an experimental set up once, there is a chance that could have been some sort of error that may have skewed your results. To lessen this problem, you can: Increase the number of trials or how many times you complete the experiment Example: Increase the number times you set up the slugs. Increase the sample size or how many subjects you include in your experiment

Importance of Sample Size and Replication If you only run an experimental set up once, there is a chance that could have been some sort of error that may have skewed your results. To lessen this problem, you can: Increase the number of trials or how many times you complete the experiment Example: Increase the number times you set up the slugs. Increase the sample size or how many subjects you include in your experiment Example: Increase the number of slugs you include in the experiment.

Theory:

Theory: Concepts that join together well-supported and related hypotheses; supported by a broad range of observations, experimentations and data

Theory: Concepts that join together well-supported and related hypotheses; supported by a broad range of observations, experimentations and data Examples: Cell theory, evolution, Big Bang

Theory: Concepts that join together well-supported and related hypotheses; supported by a broad range of observations, experimentations and data Examples: Cell theory, evolution, Big Bang Scientists review and repeat experiments many times to check that the theory can be accepted.

Theory: Concepts that join together well-supported and related hypotheses; supported by a broad range of observations, experimentations and data Examples: Cell theory, evolution, Big Bang Scientists review and repeat experiments many times to check that the theory can be accepted. A theory doesn’t mean it is a fact. It is widely accepted as being true, but future experiments could change our understanding.

Theory: Concepts that join together well-supported and related hypotheses; supported by a broad range of observations, experimentations and data Examples: Cell theory, evolution, Big Bang Scientists review and repeat experiments many times to check that the theory can be accepted. A theory doesn’t mean it is a fact. It is widely accepted as being true, but future experiments could change our understanding. How does the scientific definition of a theory differ from how we use the word theory in our everyday language?