What is Science? Observing Inferring Predicting Testing

Scientific Inquiry Process  Scientists use many ways to study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence they gather.  Pose a question? (use observations and research to find a question you want to know the answer to)

What is a good question?  Avoid Why? Questions  Is the question testable?  Don’t ask opinions!!!!!!!  What can you measure to find the answer?  Do Research on the topic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Observing  Using senses to gather information  Quantitative- observations with numbers (amounts)  Qualitative- observations with descriptions

Inferring  When you interpret or explain observations you made

Predicting  Forecasting what you think will happen based on observations, experiences, and evidence

Hypothesis  Form a statement that is an explanation to the question you want to answer.  It must be testable, to see if it is true!  Ex: If food is restricted from dogs, then they become more food aggressive.

Experiment  Design an experiment to test your hypothesis.  Every experiment needs parts that are controlled and parts or a part that varies or changes. These are called variables.  Independent, Dependent, and Controlled variables

Variables  Independent Variables- (manipulated) parts of the experiment that are being tested, you are setting them up within the experiment to have a comparison.  Dependent Variables- (responding) the part of the experiment that varies depending on what happens within the experiment. The variable that is measured for results.

Variables  Controlled variables or constants- things that are not changed within the experiment on purpose.  Need to control everything except what is being tested (the independent and dependent variables).  Ex: environment and conditions

Collecting Data  Observe and collect measurements during the experiment  Organize Data into charts  Express your findings in Graphs (Circle, Bar, and Line Graphs)

Graphs  Circle (Pie) Graph- Always shows parts of a whole = 100% (Always in %)  Line Graph- Shows 2 variables usually something over a period of time  Bar Graph- Shows multiple variables or groups to compare

Pie Graph/ Circle Graph

Bar Graph

Line Graph

Draw a Conclusion  Summarize what you find  Reject or Support your Hypothesis  Communicate what you find  Ex: publish articles