1. Scientific Inquiry Notes
How Scientists Solve Problems

2. Learning Scale
4 (All of 3 +) – Evaluate a scientific investigation based on the evidence provided. 3 (All of 2 +) – Interpret and analyze data. Describe and analyze the methods used in science. 2 (All of 1 +) – Differentiate between test and outcome variables. Differentiate between repetition and replication. 1 - Identify and describe the steps of scientific inquiry.

3. Step 1: Pose a Question
You must be able to answer the question by making observations.
Example: How is a shadow affected by the light’s position?
Non Example: Which photo looks the most interesting?

4. Step 2: Form a Hypothesis
A hypothesis is an educated guess.
A hypothesis must be testable by observation or experiment.
Example: The heavier an object is the faster it will fall to earth.

5. John wants to know which ball bounces higher
John wants to know which ball bounces higher. He has a golf ball, bouncy ball, and tennis ball. What could his hypothesis be?
I think the bouncy ball will bounce higher.
The golf ball will bounce higher than the tennis ball.
If the balls are dropped, then they will bounce because they are elastic.
If the tennis ball is dropped, then it will bounce higher because it contains more rubber material.

6. John wants to know which ball bounces higher
John wants to know which ball bounces higher. He has a golf ball, bouncy ball, and tennis ball. What could his hypothesis be?
I think the bouncy ball will bounce higher.
The golf ball will bounce higher than the tennis ball.
If the balls are dropped, then they will bounce because they are elastic.
If the tennis ball is dropped, then it will bounce higher because it contains more rubber material.

7. Step 3: Designing an Experiment
Determine your variables:
Test (Independent) Variable – What you are testing or changing.
Outcome (Dependent) Variable – What you are measuring
Controlled Variable – kept constant
Change only one variable at a time. Keep all others constant.

8. Conduct multiple trials to improve the accuracy of the results.
Make a procedure, step by step list, of how you will perform the experiment.

9. What is the test variable? What is the outcome variable?
Jane wants to see if color affects the amount of heat absorbed. She places thermometers under black paper, white paper, and green paper.
What is the test variable?
What is the outcome variable?
What is the controlled variable?

10. What is the test variable? Color of paper
Jane wants to see if color affects the amount of heat absorbed. She places thermometers under black paper, white paper, and green paper.
What is the test variable?
Color of paper
What is the outcome variable?
Amount of heat absorbed
What is the controlled variable?
Thermometer, placement of paper

11. Step 4: Collecting Data Create a data table. Types of Data:
Qualitative: Descriptions
Quantitative: Numbers
Object
Mass (g)
Volume (mL)
Ball
Beaker
Penny

12. Step 5: Analyzing Data Explain what the data means.
Use graphs to show trends or patterns in the data.

13. Step 6: Draw Conclusions
A conclusion states whether or not the data support the hypothesis.

14. Data supports hypothesis … retest
Data does not support hypothesis … modify hypothesis

15. Example of Conclusion
My hypothesis was that the tennis ball would bounce the highest because it had the greatest mass. The tennis ball bounced 84 cm but the bouncy ball bounced 97 cm high. This means that the bouncy ball was the ball that bounced the highest.

16. Step 7: Communicating Results
Why is communicating important?
Allows others to check the results
Leads to new questions or hypotheses
Leads to new investigations

17. Repetition vs. Replication
Repetition: YOU repeat the experiment.
Replication: SOMEONE ELSE can repeat your experiment.

18. Learning Scale
4 (All of 3 +) – Evaluate a scientific investigation based on the evidence provided. 3 (All of 2 +) – Interpret and analyze data. Describe and analyze the methods used in science. 2 (All of 1 +) – Differentiate between test and outcome variables. Differentiate between repetition and replication. 1 - Identify and describe the steps of scientific inquiry.