Science ACT Prep Class Research Summary

Research Summary Sort of like reading a story Keep track of the plot, major characters and the setting. Make notes in the margins as you read Sometimes we find out there is no connections to make

Big Deals Reading comprehension Steps of the scientific method Knowing your variables Drawing conclusions

Key Mistakes Not keeping track of 2 different sets of data Experiment 1 vs Experiment 2 Forgetting the scientific method Watch for mistakes Watch for variables that were not controlled

Scientific Method Observation: using your senses to see what is happening Hypothesis: forming a reasonable TESTABLE explanation Experiment: an organized procedure to test the hypothesis a. Know your variables! Results: collected during experiment Analysis: organize the data into charts and graphs Conclusion: explain the relationship between the variables

Variables Independent: the variable the scientist manipulates What the scientist is testing out Dependent: the variable the scientist measures This is what is changing because of what the scientist did to the independent variable Control: the variable that is the normal state of the independent variable The thing the scientist can compare things to at the end

Groups Experimental Group: the group of things that is changed (the independent variable group) This is what the scientist is trying to find out what happens with it Control Group: the group of things that is not changed (the comparison group) This is a group that has a known or expected result

Hypothesis vs. Theory Hypothesis: a testable explanation that attempts to link the variables together in some way Theory: an explanation of how something works or why something happens the way it does Based on a LARGE amount of experimental data

Types of Questions Drawing conclusions from the data Details about the experimental procedure How does the equipment function? Predict what an added variable would tell you Main point of the study How would you conduct a similar experiment?

Common Mistakes Making assumptions about the experiment Making predictions that aren’t supported by the data Not critically reading the passage Make notes as you read through the procedures (variables, conditions etc.)

Strategies Identify Variables Understand what is being tested and what is not being tested (parameters) Be critical- look for improvements on experimental design