1. Table of Contents: Title: Visualizing Scientific Methods
Page #: 6
Date: 09/05/2012
Title: Chapter 1.2 Methods of Scientists
Page #: 7

2. Objective:
Students will be able to compare and contrast independent and dependent variables.
Students will be able to compare and contrast an experiment with an investigation.

3. Word of the Day
Bias - To influence in an unfair way.

4. Chapter 1.2 Methods of Scientists
**Scientists use scientific methods to structure their experiments and investigations**
The Nature of Scientific Investigations:
Scientific Method - The steps used to answer questions / solve problems.
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5. The Scientific Method, 5 Steps:
Ask a question and collect data
Data - Collection of observations
Form a hypothesis
Hypothesis - A possible explanation for an event that answers the question or solves the problem. It can be TESTED!!!
Experiment
A test of the hypothesis.
Involves collecting qualitative data (General observations - color, size: big / small, etc.
Involves collecting quantitative data (Numerical observations - weight in grams, height in meters, etc.
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6. Elements of an Experiment:
Independent Variable - The factor (thing) that is changed during an experiment (the X-Value on a graph.)
Example: If you were testing the effectiveness of different kinds of fertilizers on plant growth, the different fertilizers used would be the independent variable.
Dependent Variable - The result of the changes to the independent variable (the Y-Value on a graph.)
Example: The different levels of growth demonstrated by plants exposed to different fertilizers.
Constants - The variables that are not changed during an experiment.
Example: The amount of water that plants in the fertilizer experiment receive must be the same
Control - Shows that the result of an experiment is a result of the condition being tested.
Example: Comparing fertilized plants from the experiment to non-fertilized plants.
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7. The Scientific Method, 5 Steps:
Investigation - Experiments in which all aspects of the experiment cannot be controlled.
An imperfect experiment. Investigations do not include controls.
Analysis and Conclusion - Discussion of the data collected from the experiment.
States whether the data collected supports the hypothesis
Example: Did one kind of fertilizer produce more growth than another?
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8. **Goal of Scientists**
Scientific method is used to eliminate Bias.
Bias - To influence something in an unfair way.
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9. Classwork: Page 16: Questions 1 and 2 To be handed in.
Bonus Question: Worth 5 quiz points to be applied after a quiz - Compare and Contrast an experiment with an investigation.
Bonus should be done on same paper as questions 1 and 2
Science Autobiography