Table of Contents: Title: Visualizing Scientific Methods Page #: 6 Date: 09/05/2012 Title: Chapter 1.2 Methods of Scientists Page #: 7

Objective: Students will be able to compare and contrast independent and dependent variables. Students will be able to compare and contrast an experiment with an investigation.

Word of the Day Bias - To influence in an unfair way.

Chapter 1.2 Methods of Scientists **Scientists use scientific methods to structure their experiments and investigations** The Nature of Scientific Investigations: Scientific Method - The steps used to answer questions / solve problems. Page 7

The Scientific Method, 5 Steps: Ask a question and collect data Data - Collection of observations Form a hypothesis Hypothesis - A possible explanation for an event that answers the question or solves the problem. It can be TESTED!!! Experiment A test of the hypothesis. Involves collecting qualitative data (General observations - color, size: big / small, etc. Involves collecting quantitative data (Numerical observations - weight in grams, height in meters, etc. Page 7

Elements of an Experiment: Independent Variable - The factor (thing) that is changed during an experiment (the X-Value on a graph.) Example: If you were testing the effectiveness of different kinds of fertilizers on plant growth, the different fertilizers used would be the independent variable. Dependent Variable - The result of the changes to the independent variable (the Y-Value on a graph.) Example: The different levels of growth demonstrated by plants exposed to different fertilizers. Constants - The variables that are not changed during an experiment. Example: The amount of water that plants in the fertilizer experiment receive must be the same Control - Shows that the result of an experiment is a result of the condition being tested. Example: Comparing fertilized plants from the experiment to non-fertilized plants. Page 8

The Scientific Method, 5 Steps: Investigation - Experiments in which all aspects of the experiment cannot be controlled. An imperfect experiment. Investigations do not include controls. Analysis and Conclusion - Discussion of the data collected from the experiment. States whether the data collected supports the hypothesis Example: Did one kind of fertilizer produce more growth than another? Page 9

**Goal of Scientists** Scientific method is used to eliminate Bias. Bias - To influence something in an unfair way. Page 9

Classwork: Page 16: Questions 1 and 2 To be handed in. Bonus Question: Worth 5 quiz points to be applied after a quiz - Compare and Contrast an experiment with an investigation. Bonus should be done on same paper as questions 1 and 2 Science Autobiography