1. Scientific Method
Chapter 1.5

2. 1. Scientific Method
series of steps used by scientists to solve a problem

3. 2. Inference
an explanation of what we see based on the information that we get from our senses
-formed using things we learned in the past
- change as new observations are made

5. 3. Observation
made by gathering information about events or processes in a careful, orderly way
- use our 5 senses: smell, taste, sight, hearing, touch

7. 4. Data - information gathered from making observations
-2 types qualitative & quantitative

8. 5. Qualitative Data-(QUAL as in ‘quality’)
describes qualities of something that can’t be counted or measured
Ex: size, color, shape, smell, loud, soft

10. 6. Quantitative Data- (QUAN as in ‘quantity’; a number)-
uses an instrument to measure something
Ex: number of something, distance, speed

13. 7. Independent Variable - deliberately changed by scientist
-what is being tested {fertilizer added to grass

14. 8. Dependent Variable
- what is measured or observed during or at end of experiment
- depends on independent variable {how high the fertilized grass grows}

16. 9. Critical Thinking
- A process that uses certain skills to solve problems.
Skills such as: observation, interpretation, analysis, inference, evaluation, explanation,