Scientific Methods

Scientific Inquiry Process ID problem or pose a question Research the Topic Develop a hypothesis hypothesis Draw Conclusions Communicate results Design & Conduct an Experiment Analyze the data

Scientific Process Skills Classifying: The process of grouping together items that are alike in some way. Predicting: Making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on observations and experience Measuring: Determining dimensions, quantity or capacity as compared to a standard

Scientific Process Skills Observing Quantitative Observation Qualitative Observation Inferring

Observation The process of using one or more of the five senses to gather information: –Sight –Smell –Hearing –Taste –Touch There are two types of observations –Qualitative –Quantitative

Qualitative Observation Qualitative observation: An observation that deals with characteristics that cannot be expressed in numbers Qualitative observations describe what we observe. “Qualitative” = quality (descriptive) These observations use adjectives to describe something. Example: The flower has white petals. Example: Mr. M has blue eyes.

Quantitative Observation Quantitative Observation: An observation that deals with a number or amount Quantitative observations measure what we observe. “Quantitative” = quantity (numerical) These observations use numbers to measure something in a quantitative way. Example: The flower has five petals. Example: Mr. M has two eyes.

Inferences Inferences are an explanation for an observation based on past experiences and prior knowledge. Inferences are often changed when new observations are made. Again, observations are information we gather directly through our five senses….inferences help explain those observations!

Here are some examples! Observation: The grass on the school’s front lawn is wet. Possible inferences: –It rained. –The sprinkler was on. –There is dew on the grass from the morning. All of these inferences could possibly explain why the grass is wet. They are all based on prior experiences. We have all seen rain, sprinklers and morning dew.

More examples! Observation: The school fire alarm is going off. Possible inferences: –The school is on fire. –We are having a fire drill. –A prankster pulled the fire alarm. Again, these are all logical explanations for why the fire alarm is going off.

Last one! Observation: A student is sitting in the main office. Possible inferences: Why might a student be sitting there? Observation / Inference Exercises

End Presentation

???? ???? ???? ???? Observation or Inference? Back to presentation End Show

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation The temperature outside is 45 degrees Celsius.

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation That sweater is cute!

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation The cookies my dad made smell wonderful!

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation It is very warm outside today.

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation The man at the store fell to the floor clutching his chest.

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation The principal was in our classroom 3 times this week.

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation The man at the store fell to the floor clutching his chest. He must have had a heart attack.

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation Our principal loves his students!

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation The average science test score was 71%. It must have been a tough test!

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation Even though Sally didn’t speak, I could tell by her expression she was happy.

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation Shoppers in the mall assumed the man talking loudly to himself was crazy

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation She was so anxious about her interview, she left her purse behind.

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation The temperature dropped 20 degrees since yesterday.

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation Jake Delhomme had a 90% completion percentage in the game against Atlanta.

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation Crickets chirp an average of 36 times per minute when the temperature is 20 C

Observation or Inference? Quantitative Observation InferenceQualitative Observation Arachnids have eight legs.

Good Job! You are Correct! Try another one

Super! You are Correct! Try another one

Yes! You are Correct! Try another one

Sorry Try again

Hypothesis: A possible explanation for a set of observations or [predicted] answer to a scientific inquiry. Return to Scientific Inquiry page

Key Terms Related to Experiments Return to Scientific Inquiry page Controlled experiment: An experiment in which only one variable is changed. Variable: Any factor in an experiment that can be changed. Independent (manipulated) variable: The one variable (factor) that is purposely changed to test a hypothesis. Dependent (responding) variable: The factor that changes in response to changes in the independent variable.

Goodbye