Scientific Method

Scientific Method continued Scientific Method= allows scientists to draw logical and reliable conclusions about phenomena. Observations= personal or based on previous research Hypothesis= tentative explanation. –Not just a guess! –Must be testable Experiment= controlled procedure designed to test a hypothesis Analysis of data= conducted using information collected during the experiment –Using statistics Conclusion= supports or does not support the hypothesis? –Can lead back into a new hypothesis/ experiment design –Cannot prove/disprove –Only support or not support

Scientific Method Conclusions Hypothesis Experiment Analysis of Data Observations

Theory vs. Law Theory = A theory is a logically self-consistent model or framework for describing the behavior of a related set of natural phenomena. It originates from and/or is supported by experimental evidence. It is a systematic and formalized expression of all previous observations (in the set) that is predictive, logical and testable. –Large scale

Theory vs. Law cont. Law = A scientific generalization based on empirical observations of physical behavior. They are typically conclusions based on the confirmation of hypotheses/theories through repeated experiments which have become accepted within the scientific community. –There are no strict guidelines as to how or when a scientific theory becomes a scientific law. –Definitions of a law vary slightly

For this Lab This is designed to show you the difference between a predicted value (based a population average) and an actual value This type of comparison is a fundamental portion of statistics used to evaluate scientific data Only need 5 people (more would be better) –The more people you have, the closer your average will be to the population average