1. Science ACT Prep Class
Research Summary

2. Research Summary Sort of like reading a story
Keep track of the plot, major characters and the setting.
Make notes in the margins as you read
Sometimes we find out there is no connections to make

3. Big Deals Reading comprehension Steps of the scientific method
Knowing your variables
Drawing conclusions

4. Key Mistakes Not keeping track of 2 different sets of data
Experiment 1 vs Experiment 2
Forgetting the scientific method
Watch for mistakes
Watch for variables that were not controlled

5. Scientific Method
Observation: using your senses to see what is happening
Hypothesis: forming a reasonable TESTABLE explanation
Experiment: an organized procedure to test the hypothesis
a. Know your variables!
Results: collected during experiment
Analysis: organize the data into charts and graphs
Conclusion: explain the relationship between the variables

6. Variables Independent: the variable the scientist manipulates
What the scientist is testing out
Dependent: the variable the scientist measures
This is what is changing because of what the scientist did to the independent variable
Control: the variable that is the normal state of the independent variable
The thing the scientist can compare things to at the end

7. Groups
Experimental Group: the group of things that is changed (the independent variable group)
This is what the scientist is trying to find out what happens with it
Control Group: the group of things that is not changed (the comparison group)
This is a group that has a known or expected result

8. Hypothesis vs. Theory
Hypothesis: a testable explanation that attempts to link the variables together in some way
Theory: an explanation of how something works or why something happens the way it does
Based on a LARGE amount of experimental data

9. Types of Questions Drawing conclusions from the data
Details about the experimental procedure
How does the equipment function?
Predict what an added variable would tell you
Main point of the study
How would you conduct a similar experiment?

10. Common Mistakes Making assumptions about the experiment
Making predictions that aren’t supported by the data
Not critically reading the passage
Make notes as you read through the procedures (variables, conditions etc.)

11. Strategies Identify Variables
Understand what is being tested and what is not being tested (parameters)
Be critical- look for improvements on experimental design