Scientific Method, Research, and Laboratory Reports White Plains High School Science Department

Why Research? Most of what we know about science is the direct result of someone else’s research. (EX: solar system) Most of what we know about science is the direct result of someone else’s research. (EX: solar system) If these scientific problems have already been addressed, we can use these past experiences for our benefit. If these scientific problems have already been addressed, we can use these past experiences for our benefit.

The Scientific Method Set of steps used to answer a scientific problem. Set of steps used to answer a scientific problem. There are many variations on the exact steps to the scientific method. There are many variations on the exact steps to the scientific method.

The Scientific Method: Steps 1. Question/Problem/Purpose: What question are you trying to answer? What question are you trying to answer? What problem do you want to solve? What problem do you want to solve? 2. “Hypothesis”: a possible explanation for an occurrence a possible explanation for an occurrence You make a scientific, educated guess to answer your opening question. You make a scientific, educated guess to answer your opening question.

How have you been taught to write a hypothesis? How have you been taught to write a hypothesis? If ___________________ If ___________________ then _________________, because ______________. Write a hypothesis for the question…. Write a hypothesis for the question….

The Scientific Method: Steps (cont.) 3. Materials/Procedures/Plan: What materials did you use to perform the experiment? What materials did you use to perform the experiment? Exactly what did you do? Exactly what did you do? Someone should be able to duplicate your results by following your step-by-step instructions recorded here. Someone should be able to duplicate your results by following your step-by-step instructions recorded here.

The Scientific Method: Steps (cont.) 4. Results/Data/Observations: Record your observations from your experiment. Record your observations from your experiment. Results must be accurate, valid, and reliable. RECORD IT AS IT IS!!! Results must be accurate, valid, and reliable. RECORD IT AS IT IS!!! Data can be analyzed easiest when it is in table, chart, and graph form. Data can be analyzed easiest when it is in table, chart, and graph form.

The Scientific Method: Steps (cont.) 5. Conclusion: Did you prove or disprove your hypothesis? Did you prove or disprove your hypothesis? “The data supported my hypothesis.” “The data supported my hypothesis.” “The data did not support my hypothesis, but I learned……” “The data did not support my hypothesis, but I learned……” Answer any post-lab questions. Answer any post-lab questions.

The Scientific Method: Steps (cont.) 6. Next Step/New Question: How could you do this differently? How could you do this differently? What new questions do you have now? What new questions do you have now? What could you do to get answers to those questions? What could you do to get answers to those questions?

“Yes” –OR- “Yes” –OR- “Yes, a change in temperature indicates a chemical change.” “Yes, a change in temperature indicates a chemical change.” “Density and height” –OR- “Density and height” –OR- “Density and height are size- independent properties because they don’t change when the size changes.” “Density and height are size- independent properties because they don’t change when the size changes.” STOP All information and answers in this class should be written in complete sentences!

Journal Article Reviews Environmental news articles due every Friday. Possible sources: Newspapers Magazines Online news sources CNN USA Today The Anniston Star Must include original article --- not copies!!!!

Journal Article Reviews Due every Friday. Due every Friday. Worth 25 points each – that comes to about 200 points each grading period! Worth 25 points each – that comes to about 200 points each grading period! Why do I have you do these? Why do I have you do these?

Citing Your Source Newspaper or Magazine Article: Newspaper or Magazine Article: Di Rado, Alicia. "Trekking through College: Classes Explore Modern Society Using the World of Star Trek." Los Angeles Times 15 Mar. 1995: A3.

Citing Your Source (cont.) Website: Website: Lynch, Tim. "DSN Trials and Tribble-ations Review." Psi Phi: Bradley's Science Fiction Club Bradley University. 8 Oct

Article “Summary” Content See “Field Activity: Critical Thinking and the News”, page 20 in your textbook. (There are 8 questions here.) See “Field Activity: Critical Thinking and the News”, page 20 in your textbook. (There are 8 questions here.) 9. Is this problem local, regional, or global? 10. Is the impact local, regional, or global?

Answer ALL questions in complete sentences, so the reader knows what you are talking about! “No, not really.” “No, not really.” “Once again, no it didn’t.“ “Once again, no it didn’t.“ “There were no opposing sides in the article.” “There were no opposing sides in the article.” “The image of a gas station really caught my attention.” “The image of a gas station really caught my attention.”