Notes on the Scientific Method Unit 1: The Nature of Science

Benchmarks: Generate scientific questions based on observations, investigations, and research. Design and conduct scientific investigations. Use tools and equipment appropriate to scientific investigations. Identify patterns in data Draw conclusions from sets of data from multiple trials of a scientific investigation.

1. Make Observations A good scientist notices the world and becomes curious. A good scientist notices the world and becomes curious. Identify a problem to be studied. Identify a problem to be studied.

Gather Information Research what others have done. Research what others have done. Science is cumulative (it builds on previous discoveries). Science is cumulative (it builds on previous discoveries).

2. Form a Hypothesis A potential answer. A potential answer. A prediction. A prediction. NOT a guess (if you have to guess go back to the last step!) NOT a guess (if you have to guess go back to the last step!)

3. Experiment Identify the dependent and independent variables. Identify the dependent and independent variables. Independent variable is the one the scientist is in charge of; what is being tested. Independent variable is the one the scientist is in charge of; what is being tested. Dependent variable is the results; changes in response to the independent variable. Dependent variable is the results; changes in response to the independent variable.

Control Group Plan the control Plan the control The control is a group that does not get any treatment. It is used for comparison The control is a group that does not get any treatment. It is used for comparison

Record Data Write down EVERYTHING! Write down EVERYTHING! The Data is your proof. The Data is your proof.

Quantitative data involves numbers and units. Quantitative data involves numbers and units. Quantity = how many Quantity = how many Use tools to gather Use tools to gather Examples:The plant was 123 cm tall The fish tank held 40 gallons of water The temperature rose 5° C Types of Data

Qualitative data is a description. Qualitative data is a description. Quality = a feature Quality = a feature Use senses to gather. Use senses to gather. Examples: The plant was a dark green The water in the fish tank was very muddy The water in the fish tank was very muddy The beaker got colder The beaker got colder Types of Data

4. Analyze Data Organize data to find patterns Organize data to find patterns Charts, graphs help Charts, graphs help

5. Draw a Conclusion Accept or reject hypothesis* Accept or reject hypothesis* You must run the experiment many, many times before you can do either! You must run the experiment many, many times before you can do either!

Report Results To get credit for the discovery, it needs to be published. To get credit for the discovery, it needs to be published. Science is cumulative! Science is cumulative!