Conclusions are reliable, but tentative Science is not democratic Science cannot make moral or aesthetic decisions What is Science? Characteristics of Science

Fundamentals of Science relies on evidence from the natural world which is examined/interpreted logically (lizards vs gnomes) follows a process guided by parameters

The Scientific Method (Scientific Inquiry) The way scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on evidence.

3 Typical Questions 1.What’s there? 2.How does it work? 3.How did it come to be this way?

Questions Based on observations, inferences, curiosity Based on observations, inferences, curiosity Gives the investigation a purpose Gives the investigation a purpose States what you are trying to find out States what you are trying to find out Helps focus next steps – test 1 thing Helps focus next steps – test 1 thing Examples of testable questions: Examples of testable questions: 1. Which brand of toilet paper is the 1. Which brand of toilet paper is the strongest? strongest? 2. Do dogs see in color? 2. Do dogs see in color? 3. Who can hit the most free throws in 10 tries? 3. Who can hit the most free throws in 10 tries?

textbook active art

Steps of the Scientific Method Do not write this slide! These steps do not follow any set order! Make observations Make observations Ask a question Ask a question Form a hypothesis Form a hypothesis Test your hypothesis/Make observations Test your hypothesis/Make observations Analyze the results Analyze the results Draw conclusions/infer/predict Draw conclusions/infer/predict Communicate results to identify alternative explanations/replicate results Communicate results to identify alternative explanations/replicate results

Observations Use tools and equipment – quantitative data Use tools and equipment – quantitative data distance-ruler distance-ruler weight/mass-scale/balance weight/mass-scale/balance volume-graduated cylinder/measuring cup volume-graduated cylinder/measuring cup time-seconds/minutes time-seconds/minutes Information gathered with the senses – qualitative data Information gathered with the senses – qualitative data SightSoundSmell TouchTaste

Observations Use tools and equipment – quantitative data Use tools and equipment – quantitative data Examples: 1 meter wide2 grams 35 mL5 g/mL 20 seconds Information gathered with the senses – qualitative data Information gathered with the senses – qualitative data Smells like a rotten egg Bigger than a pencil box Opaque Soft and fuzzy

Reasonable & logical explanation based on observable facts (history of life) Can be correct or incorrect – claims that don’t fit the evidence are rejected/modified/tested again Inference

Educated guess about what will happen (forecast) based on what you know from past experience or evidence prediction

Hypothesis Possible answer to the question or explanation of observations Possible answer to the question or explanation of observations An educated guess An educated guess Testable prediction or statement Testable prediction or statement I think if…, then… I think if…, then…

Testing the Hypothesis (experimental design) Gather data or information Gather data or information Controlled experiments Controlled experiments Control experimental conditions Control experimental conditions Only one difference (variable) between the two conditions Only one difference (variable) between the two conditions Make careful observations Make careful observations

Testing the Hypothesis VARIABLE: One of the factors that can change in an experiment. VARIABLE: One of the factors that can change in an experiment. Control: A part of the experiment that is not being manipulated and is used for comparison. Control: A part of the experiment that is not being manipulated and is used for comparison.

Testing the Hypothesis Manipulated (independent) Variable: The variable (one only) that a scientist changes in an experiment. The “I control” variable. Manipulated (independent) Variable: The variable (one only) that a scientist changes in an experiment. The “I control” variable. Responding (dependent) Variable: The variable that might change in response to what the scientist changes. It’s what is being measured. Responding (dependent) Variable: The variable that might change in response to what the scientist changes. It’s what is being measured.

Testing the Hypothesis Your hypothesis can TELL you what your variables are! If (what is changed), then (expectation of outcome for what is being measured). Ex. If I drink Mountain Dew before bed, then I will not sleep very much. M/I Variable: Drinking Mountain Dew R/D Variable: the amount of sleep

Data & Results Analysis What information did you gather? What information did you gather? Facts, figures, observations Facts, figures, observations Organize data using tables Organize data using tables Interpret data using graphs (look for patterns or trends) Interpret data using graphs (look for patterns or trends)

Data & Results Analysis Types of Graphs (all graphs need titles!) See textbook page Line graph – shows how the responding variable changes in response to the manipulated variable; use when manipulated variable is continuous Bar & Circle graph – shows data in several separate categories

Conclusions What do the results tell me? What do the results tell me? Does it support the hypothesis? Does it support the hypothesis? If yes, communicate results! If yes, communicate results! If no, If no, Repeat investigation Repeat investigation Form new hypothesis Form new hypothesis If no conclusion, If no conclusion, Get more data Get more data

Conclusions HYPOTHESIS: A proposed explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question that can be tested. HYPOTHESIS: A proposed explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question that can be tested. THEORY: A well-tested scientific concept that explains a wide range of observations; it has been tested repeatedly and found to be true. THEORY: A well-tested scientific concept that explains a wide range of observations; it has been tested repeatedly and found to be true. Cell theory, evolutionary theory LAW: Describes what is expected to happen every time under a particular set of conditions; does not provide an explanation for it. LAW: Describes what is expected to happen every time under a particular set of conditions; does not provide an explanation for it. Newton’s laws of gravity, Bernoulli’s law of fluid dynamics

Communicate Results Scientists publish their work in scientific journals and give lectures (writing and speaking). Scientists publish their work in scientific journals and give lectures (writing and speaking). Inventors patent their ideas so others cannot steal them or take credit for them. Inventors patent their ideas so others cannot steal them or take credit for them.

SourcesSources UCMP: Understanding Evolution Website UCMP: Understanding Evolution Website rticle/nature_01 rticle/nature_01