Chapter 2 Notes Ms. Sager

Science as Inquiry What is Science? – Word derived from Latin – means “to know” – A way of knowing – How to answer questions about the real world. – Main point of it – Inquiry – Asking questions and getting answers – A process of investigation to find answers to questions.

Observations & Data Observations – The use of the senses to gather and record information about structures or processes. Data – Observations that are recorded (Items of information). Instruments help do this Quantitative data(Quantity) – These are measurements from Metric System (# of grams, etc…) Qualitative data (Quality) – These are descriptions about things. Must be easy to read and organized.

Discovery Science Also called Descriptive Science This is where you observe and collect data to describe natural processes or structures. Can happen by accident – Ex: Alexander Fleming discovering Penicillin in a culture dish.

Inferences in Science Inference – A logical conclusion based on observations. Ex: Someone is at the front door when the doorbell rings. Help refine general questions into specific questions (Take observations a step further). Can be uncertain at times, as other things may cause things to happen. Ex: Doorbell rings due to electrical short.

Generalizations of Science Generalization – A general conclusion about something that is reached by putting together specific observations. Ex: Seeing that both plants and animals are made up of cells. Can also occur from numerical data (Graphs) (Quantitative data). Put everything together to come up with an idea about what is happening. Helps create averages.

Methods of Hypotheses The Scientific Method – This is the process from Observing to Questioning to creating a Hypothesis to Predicting to testing the Hypothesis. Remember, if your test does not work, you have to go back and re-write your Hypothesis. If the Hypothesis works, you can do additional testing to support it.

Hypotheses Hypothesis – A suggested answer to a well- defined scientific question. (trying out an explanation). Concerned with natural phenomena such as why plants react to sunlight. Based on past experience or knowledge gained from discovery science. Hypotheses help you to predict things that might happen, then test those ideas. Is written as an If…Then statement. Can lead to discovery of new ideas.

Case Study If you research a Case Study, you may be able to learn more about a Hypothesis. This may involve reading about and doing fieldwork and working with other scientists to prove a question asked. Ex: Mimicry of animals to confuse predators Variable – Any condition that can be different within an experiment. Controlled experiment – An experiment that test the effect of only 1 variable. In this experiment, you try to control anything that can affect the outcome of the experiment. Ex: Control temperature, light, heat, water, etc…

Case Study (Con’t) To control any experiment, you can divide the subjects into two groups: – Control group – The group that nothing is done to and it is left alone – What you are measuring against – This group CONTROLS the changes in the experiment. – Experimental group – The group actually being tested for changes. – Now you do the experiment

Analyzing Data Once you have done your experiment, you need to collect and organize data and see if it supports your hypothesis. Can create a table, graph, or use another method to help “see” the data. This method of “seeing” data can be very helpful to figure out if your hypothesis is true.

Evidence in Science Evidence – The information upon which inferences are based. – A collected body of data from observations and experiments. – Needs to be tested numerous times – ** A Hypothesis needs to be FALSIFIABLE – There must be an observation or experiment in it that COULD reveal if it is a false statement.** – Can be falsified years later. – Science is not the only way of knowing information.

Theories in Science Scientists look for patterns in data and explanations for the patterns. How is a theory different from a Hypothesis? – A theory is a well-tested explanation that helps understand numerous observations. – Theories help test Hypotheses. – Theories are very broad compared to Hypotheses. – Theories are only accepted when supported by a large body of evidence. – Must be tested and supported numerous times.

Models These are physical, mental, or mathematical representations of figuring out a process or idea. Can be drawings, graphs, 3-D objects, computer programs, or mathematical equations. Can also be described in words such as analogies (likenesses). Brain = computer. Models should explain, predict, or match observations.

Communication Scientists work in teams often. Communicate through journals, talks, presentations, Internet, . These methods also help the public understand scientific findings easier. Can see repeat testing results easier for confirmation of Hypotheses or theories.

Science, Technology, Society Science and technology are related, but the GOALS are different: – Science goal: understand nature through observation and testing Hypotheses. (Discoveries) – Technology goal: APPLY scientific understanding for a purpose Ex: Find a cure for AIDS. (Inventions) – Based on needs & wants of that time period. Ex: Genetic testing? – Highly debated everywhere in world – Helps to understand both sides of issue.