WHAT IS “SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH?” WHY DO SCIENTISTS USE IT? WHAT ARE THE STEPS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD?

RANGE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH COMPARATIVE DATA ANALYSIS DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH COMPARATIVE DATA ANALYSIS EXPERIMENTAL

DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH Describing nature using known physical biological or chemical properties Often used on things we can’t work with in the lab Ex- center of the earth stars, galaxies DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

COMPARATIVE DATA ANALYSIS Linking two things together by analyzing data Ex- Smoking linked to lung cancer

Steps Of The Scientific Method State the problem (in the form of a question) Research the subject State a hypothesis Design and perform an experiment Record results and analyze State your conclusion

PROBLEM STATEMENT RESEARCH THE SUBJECT 3. STATE A HYPOTHESIS Asks a question based on an observation RESEARCH THE SUBJECT 3. STATE A HYPOTHESIS Answers the problem statement If……….., then………. Statement Use the same terms as in the Problem Statement

4. EXPERIMENT DESIGN Use two groups: Experimental Group Control Group In Experimental Group – Independent variable – what you change Dependent variable – what responds to the I.V. Constants/Controlled Variables– things that remain the same (You do not want “hidden variables”) The Control Group - is for comparison, doesn’t contain the independent variable

5. RECORD RESULTS AND ANALYZE Quantitative Data- (the numbers) Record data in chart, then graph Analyze data for trends which answer problem statement/hyp. Qualitative Observations- relevant observations listed 1.2.3.4

Quantitative or Qualitative? The dog is 42 pounds. The dog is fat. There are three trees in the field. The trees are tall.

6. STATE YOUR CONCLUSION Write a statement that answers the problem statement, addresses your hypothesis and mentions the data for support. A conclusion is an INFERENCE based on observations and prior knowledge.

Observation or inference? The plant is green The plant is green thus I believe it is alive. The woman is married. Observation or inference?

Observation or inference? The woman is married. The woman is wearing a wedding band thus I believe that she is married. Miracle Gro makes plants grow faster.

Observation or inference? The plant is green The plant is green thus I believe it is alive. The woman is married. The woman is wearing a wedding band thus I believe that she is married. Miracle Gro makes plants grow faster. Because the plants with m.g. were taller than the plants w/o m.g., I believe Miracle Gro makes plants grow faster.