1. Asking Questions

2. Good Scientific Questions
A good scientific question can be answered by direct observations or scientific tools
Examples of questions that are NOT scientific are based on values and opinions
What people believe to be right or wrong

3. Tips for Asking Good Scientific Questions
1. Begin by asking several questions about a topic
2. Get rid of questions that cannot be answered by direct observations or gathering evidence
3. Break this broad question into smaller questions
4. Use specific language

4. Start Broad Scientists will start off with a question such as:
Why do people get colds?
This question is then broken down into smaller questions such as…
Can you catch a cold from someone else?
Is there a relationship between getting chills and catching a cold?

5. Wording Questions
Scientific questions take a unique and specific form.
Here are some phrases to begin scientific questions:
What is the relationship between…?
What factors cause…?
How does ____________ effect ____________?
What is the effect of _______ on ______?

6. Practice! Directions: In your notes,
1. Read each statement and determine if it can be investigated scientifically.
2. If it can, re-write the statement in the form of a scientific question using specific scientific wording.