THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD Prologue: Packet #1

Science as a way of Knowing If you are a thinker, you question things you observe and may not understand, and you try to find an answer. There are many ways to find these answers. If you are a scientific thinker you find your answer using the scientific method. Example: Why is the sky blue? Prologue: Packet #1

The Scientific Method A process of systematically collecting information to possible explain observations Where does it start?  Observations Stages  Specific problem/question  Formulate hypothesis  Experimentation  Analyze & interpret  Conclude & summarize Prologue: Packet #1

Problem/Question A natural result of experiencing an observation What are some qualities of a good problem or question?  Can it be answered?  Can it be refuted?  Is it testable?  Specific and no ambiguity Prologue: Packet #1

Hypothesis

Types of Research Basic Research  How did the universe begin?  What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of?  How do slime molds reproduce?  What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly? Applied Research  improve agricultural crop production  treat or cure a specific disease  improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of transportation Prologue: Packet #1

Experimentation Devise a procedure  Determine variables present Which will you manipulate? Which will you measure? What’s the role of extraneous variables? “controls” Dependent vs. Independent  How will you measure? Prologue: Packet #1

A good vs. great experiment… “Control group” vs. experimental groups  General controls: the “normal” or no treatment  Positive controls: Definite results; the results are expected to happen  Negative controls: Definitely no result; expecting nothing to happen Sample size considerations  The larger the sample size, the more likely an accurate outcome Carry-out your procedure Collect ALL data  Qualitative vs. quantitative data  Statistics Prologue: Packet #1

SI System / Metric System All measures must be metric! Adopted system for world wide scientific community Converting among metric  Change prefix Based on units of 10  Change from English System Prologue: Packet #1

Tables and Graphs Tables help organize collected data Graphs are a representation of the connection between variables using data  Different types Determined by variables  Extrapolating predicting based on patterns of real data  Interpolating Looking at points on actual graph Prologue: Packet #1

Analyze Data This does not mean evaluating the data. Only stating the data trends and doing some mathematical analysis. Prologue: Packet #1

Summarize & Conclude Make conclusions based upon results  May require some more library research  Provide possible explanations Was your hypothesis supported or refuted?  Hypotheses are never proven Possible errors Avenues for further research Prologue: Packet #1

Theory vs. Law Theory –  A well tested hypothesis that compiles a large body of evidence Darwin’s Theory of Evolution Law –  Statement of concise observations that happen in exactly the same conditions / circumstances Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation Both attempt to predict/explain future observations but both can be found false

Plants in your parents’ room grow much taller and greener than plants in your sister’s room. Your sister listens to rap music, while your parents listen to classical music. 1.State the Problem 2.Give a proper Hypothesis 3.Identify the Independent Variable 4.Identify the Dependent Variable 5.Identify the Control 6.List four Constants Prologue: Packet #1