1. Scientific Inquiry & Experimental Design
How do we solve problems in science?

2. The scientific method…
State the problem
Form a hypothesis
Procedure
Results
Conclusion
Let’s have a more in depth look at what scientist actually use and more scientific terminology.

3. Experimental Design vs. Scientific Method
Research Question
Formulating Hypothesis
Careful Observation
Data Gathering
Analysis of Data
Identifying patterns in the data
State the problem
Form a hypothesis
Procedure
Results
Conclusion

4. Types of Experimental Design
Different research questions require different experimental designs.
Descriptive Investigations
Comparative Investigations
Experimental Research Design

5. Descriptive Investigations
An investigation used to explore questions in environmental conditions you cannot control.
Ex. Jane Goodall’s study of chimpanzees.
Picture hyperlinked to:
A hypothesis is not required in these investigations.

6. Comparative Investigations
Involves collecting data on different organisms/objects/features, or collecting data under different conditions to make a comparison.
Example: times of year, temperatures, locations
Hypothesis: Pecan trees produce more pecans during the rainy season than they do during a drought.

7. Experimental Research Design
Can be used when focused on a single variable.
Conditions can be controlled.
Determines the cause of a problem.
Ex.: Thumb Wars

8. Experimental Research Design: Thumb Wars
Research Question
Hypothesis
Gathering Data
Data Analysis
Patterns in the data
One variable tested: thumb length

9. Experimental Research Design
Research Question: Do plants grow better in coke or water?

10. Do plants grow better in coke or water? (cont.)
Analysis of Data : Using graphs/tables to find trends in the data.

11. Independent Variable – A variable that you can directly change, or have control over. (What the scientist is changing)
What is tested by the scientist
What is changed by the scientist
Also known as manipulated variables

12. •The effect caused by the independent variable. •The data
Dependent Variable – The factor, or outcome that will be measured in the experiment.
•What is observed
•What is measured
•The effect caused by the independent variable.
•The data
•Also called responding variables

13. Control Group – the group in the experiment that is not given the treatment the other groups receive.
•The group that is under “normal conditions”
•Kept “normal” so scientist can see what would happen without the treatment.

14.   
Constants – things that are intentionally kept the same for each specimen in the experiment.
•Things that could change but don’t
•Kept constant (the same) by scientists
•These allow for a fair test.

15. Do plants grow better in coke or water?
Research Question: Do plants grow better in coke or water?
Hypothesis Ex: Plants will grow better in water because plants need water to live.
Gathering Data: Controlled experiment with one independent variable.
Independent Variable: Type of liquid given to plants
Dependent Variable: Measured growth of each plant
Constants: Conditions kept the same (such as amount of liquid, type of plant, soil, amount of sunlight)