The Scientific Method

So what exactly is Science? Science (from Latin scientia, meaning "knowledge" ) is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe.

What do Scientists do?

Scientific Method Make observations Ask a Question Form a Hypothesis Test Your Hypothesis Results support/Do not support hypothesis Draw conclusions and ask questions.

Observations the act of careful watching and listening : the activity of paying close attention to someone or something in order to get information

Asking questions What will help you to form your questions?

Form a Hypothesis Ask lots of “why” questions. Look for connections between important variables. Suggest possible explanations for these connections. !!!Make sure the explanations can be tested!!!

What makes a good hypothesis?? Evaluate your observations. Imagine possible explanations.

Experimentation (testing your hypothesis) The experimentation stage of the scientific method is rad in that you get to put all of your observations and your hypothesis to the test. What could possibly go wrong???

Variance and Variables Variable- An object, event, time period, or any category you are trying to measure. An experiment usually has three kinds of variables: independent, dependent, and controlled. Independent Variable- The values that can be changed in an experiment. They provide the "input" which is modified by the model to change the "output." Dependent Variable- The values that result from the independent variable. Controlled variable- something that is constant and unchanged. (Referred to as “the control” in science lingo.)

Data Analysis Qualitative Data –vs- Quantitative Data. Qualitative Data- A categorical measurement expressed not in terms of numbers, but with a language description. Example: favorite color = "blue" height = "tall“. Quantitative Data- Information that can be measured with numbers. Example: your height, your shoe size, and the length of your fingernails.