1. The scientific process
Unit 1

2. The scientific process
Ask a question
Form a Hypothesis
Plan an Experiment
Do the Experiment and Analyze Results
Draw Conclusions
Report What You Have Learned

3. 1. Ask a question
Observation: the results of using one or more of your senses to gather information
Observations are simple and factual and they are not predictions or inferences
Observations lead to questions and
inferences
Grad school, you work with a leading professor

4. 1. ASK A QUESTION
Inference: a logical explanation of an observation that is drawn from prior knowledge or experience.
Prediction: a statement of what will happen next in a sequence of events.
For example:
Observation: Mrs. Low is wearing brown shoes.
Inference: Mrs. Low likes the color brown.
Prediction: Mrs. Low will buy a brown dress tomorrow.

5. Practice
Which are observations/ inferences/ predictions? The two male gorillas are engaged in physical contact The two male gorillas are fighting over a female The two male gorillas are just playing A female gorilla is standing within 2 feet of the two gorillas The larger male gorilla will win The gorilla who wins will walk away with the female gorilla

6. Practice
Write down 1 observation, 1 inference, and 1 prediction based on what you see in this video

7. 2. Form a hypothesis
Hypothesis: a prediction that is a possible explanation for an observation
A hypothesis is based on background research
If a hypothesis ends of wrong, it is still valuable if it leads to further investigation
“Educated guess”

8. Hypothesis Practice Which of the following is a proper hypothesis?
If the kids eat cookies, then they will be hyper
2. The more sugar a child consumes, the more energy the child will have
3. If the kids eat Oreos, thrn they will have more energy

9. A hypothesis must be testable!
2. Form a hypothesis
A hypothesis must be testable!
Testable: a scientist can make observations to determine whether the hypothesis is true or not
 Our universe is surrounded by another, larger universe, with which we can have absolutely no contact.
This is NOT a hypothesis because it is not testable. There is no way a scientist can make observations about a larger universe if we can have absolutely no contact with it.

11. 3. Plan an experiment Every experiment should contain:
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Constants
Repetition (Multiple trials)
Can easily be replicated (copied by another person)

12. 3. PLAN AN EXPERIMENT Independent Variable What is being tested
The thing in an experiment that is changed
Dependent Variable
-Result
-Changes based on the independent variable
Constants
-Things we keep the same

13. 3. PLAN an experiment
Which is the independent and dependent variable? 1. The effect of type of music on plant growth 2. The effect of height on athletic ability 3. How does reading level change with grade level? 4. How does the color of walls effect a person’s mood?

14. 3. PLAN AN EXPERIMENT
In any well designed experiment, there will be at least 2 test groups:
Experimental Group: the group for which the independent variable is changed.
2. Control : a group which experiences “normal” conditions

15. 3. PLAN AN EXPERIMENT
Which is the control and experimental group? The effect of amount of aspirin on brain tumors. 1st Group: Size of brain tumors measured in patients. Given placebo for 5 weeks. Size of brain tumor measured again. 2nd Group: Size of brain tumor measured in patients. Given 2 mg of aspirin for 5 weeks. Size of brain tumor measured again.

16. DO NOT CONFUSE CONTROLS AND CONSTANTS!!!
IMPORTANT!!!
DO NOT CONFUSE CONTROLS AND CONSTANTS!!!

17. 3. PLAN AN EXPERIMENT
In the following experiments, what could my control be? What would some constants be?
How does the color of water affect plant height?
How do different colors of light affect plant height?
Does temperature of water affect the amount of food a fish eats?

18. VARIABLES GROUP ACTIVITY
For each scenario below, identify the following:
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Control
3 constants
1. How do different amounts of fertilizer affect the number of flowers a plant produces?
2. How is the height of grass affected by different colors of light?

19. 4. Do the experiment and analyze data
A scientist creates an experiment and carries it out, gathering data along the way.
2 types of data:
1. Quantitative data: numeric measurements
For example: The kitten is 1 foot long
The spider weighs 3 lbs
2. Qualitative data: description in words
For example: The kitten is brown
The spider is hairy

20. 4. Do the experiment and analyze data
Review your data
Classify information
Make calculations
Graph results
- Independent Variable on X-axis
- Dependent Variable on Y-axis

21. Bar Graph Typically used when your independent variable is qualitative
4. ANALYZE RESULTS
Bar Graph Typically used when your independent variable is qualitative
Make sure you can interpret these!

22. 4. ANALYZE RESULTS Line Graph
Typically used when both your dependent and independent variable are quantitative

23. Typically used when your data are parts of a whole
4. ANALYZE RESULTS
Circle Graph
Typically used when your data are parts of a whole

24. 4. ANALYZE RESULTS Important things to remember when graphing:
Graph Title (Independent Variable vs. Dependent Variable)
Independent variable on x-axis (labeled with units) with appropriate scaling
Dependent variable on y-axis (labeled with units) with appropriate scaling
Correctly plot your data

25. Should we ban DHMO (Dihydrogen Monoxide)?
It causes excessive sweating and vomiting.
It is a major component in acid rain.
It causes severe burns in the gaseous state.
Accidental inhalation can kill you.
It contributes to erosion.
It decreases the effectiveness of automobile brakes.
It has been found in the tumors of terminal cancer patients.

26. Do you support a worldwide ban of this dangerous chemical?
86% of adults supported a ban
12% were undecided
2% actually knew it was water!

27. What is science? Science can have many different definitions:
Science is the investigation and exploration of natural events and of the new information that results from those investigations
Science is a body of knowledge formed by a process of continuous inquiry.
Science is an attempt to search out, describe, and explain events in the natural universe.

28. BUT…
Science is not simply a set of beliefs. It is based on evidence - Empirical evidence. Empirical evidence comes from repeated experiments that continuously yield the same results.
Which of the following is an example of empirical evidence?

29. Science vs. Pseudoscience

30. Because these topics are NOT based on empirical data
Science is not…
Astrology
Alchemy
Magic
Phrenology
Because these topics are NOT based on empirical data

31. Unfortunately… 48% of Americans believe that astrology is valid.
>30% mold their self-image based on their astrological sign.
75% of newspapers in the U.S. carry daily horoscope columns.
90% of Americans say they are “open-minded” about the potential veracity and usefulness of astrology.

32. Who are scientists?
There is no evidence that males are inherently better at scientific thinking Notable female scientists…
University professors

33. Trimates!

34. 5. Draw conclusions
A conclusion is a summary of information gained from testing a hypothesis
You should test and retest your hypothesis several times (multiple trials) to make sure the results are consistent

35. Hypotheses are never proven!
5. Draw conclusions
Hypotheses are never proven!
Data can “support” a hypothesis
Data can “fail to support” a hypothesis
Data cannot “prove” a hypothesis
Why?
NOT because science is untrustworthy, but because scientists acknowledge that new information (mostly due to improving technology) is always becoming available and new evidence may support a different conclusion from what they had before. This makes it reliable and durable.

36. TIME FOR A VOTE
True or False: Once a scientific theory has been supported by a great deal of scientific evidence, it becomes a law.

37. Scientific Theories VS. Laws
Theories never become laws and laws never become theories
A law is a description
A theory is an explanation

38. Scientific law Example: Law of Conservation of Energy
A scientific law is a rule that describes a repeatable pattern in nature
Only states that an event will occur, does not explain how or why it occurs
Supported by a large amount of scientific evidence and stands true until an observation is made that does not follow the law
Example: Law of Conservation of Energy

39. Scientific theory
A scientific theory is an explanation of observations that is based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations
Develops from many hypotheses that are connected by a common idea
Rarely discarded, instead, they are modified as new observations are discovered
Supported by a large amount of scientific evidence and rarely discarded.
Example: Kinetic Molecular Theory

40. 6. COMMUNICATE RESULTS Write a lab report (or lecture)
Get it published in a scientific journal
Peer review: other scientists will read and analyze your work
Other scientists may repeat your study or use it as background information in a different study (science builds on itself)
Scientific journals are more reliable sources of information over web sites because they are constantly scrutinized by scientists

41. 6. COMMUNICATE RESULTS
Reporting Controversy: The Bird Flu Scientists created a new strain of bird flu that can be passed through the air from person to person Should they publish their report, which includes their methods of how they created the strain?