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EQ: What are the most effective ways to carry out a scientific inquiry?
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Sometimes in science, events are so big (like the explosion of a volcano), or so small (like the movement of Euglena) or so distant (like the movement of a star) that it is impossible for our brains to understand them in their entirety.
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The scientific approach to understanding these events is a process that breaks down complex events into smaller pieces that can be studied and understood. These smaller parts are called variables.
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Variables are factors, conditions, and/or relationships that can change or be changed in an event or system
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In a scientific investigation there are 3 kinds of variables: Independent Dependent Controlled
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This is the factor or condition that is intentionally changed. May only have one in a valid experiment!!!! EX: A study was done to find if different tire treads affect the breaking distance of a car. I Variable: tire treads
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This is the factor or condition that might be affected as a result of the change. EX: A study was done to find if different tire treads affect the breaking distance of a car. D Variable: breaking distance
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These are the variables that should not change. Not necessarily mentioned in a description or hypothesis. EX: A study was done to find if different tire treads affect the breaking distance of a car Controls: same car, new brake pads each time, same speed, same place applying brakes…
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Two groups of students were tested to compare their speed working math problems. One group was given calculators, the other was not Each group was given the same math problems. I Variable: D Variable: Controls:
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Independent Variable: Use of calculators Dependent Variable: Speed computing the problems Controls: same problems, same kids…
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Students of different ages were given the same puzzle to complete. The puzzle assembly time was measured. I Variable: D Variable Controls:
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Independent Variable: Age of students Dependent Variable: Speed of puzzle assembly Controls: same puzzle
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EQ: What are the most effective ways to carry out a scientific inquiry?
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A hypothesis is a tentative statement that proposes a possible explanation to some phenomenon or event. A useful hypothesis is a testable statement which may include a prediction.
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The key word is testable. That is, you will perform a test of how two variables might be related. This is when you are doing a real experiment. You are testing variables.
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Usually, a hypothesis is based on some previous observations. Such as noticing that in November many trees undergo color changes in their leaves and the average daily temperatures are dropping. Are these two events connected? How?
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Cooler days in November may cause the leaves on the trees to change color *Dawn dish soap may blow bigger bubbles All of these are examples of hypotheses because they use the tentative word "may.".
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However, their form is not particularly useful. Using the word may does not suggest how you would go about proving it. If these statements had not been written carefully, they may not have even been hypotheses at all. For example, if we say "Trees will change color when it gets cold.“, we are making a prediction. Or if we write, "Dawn dish soap will blow bigger bubbles”, this could be a conclusion. One way to prevent making such easy mistakes is to formalize the form of the hypothesis.
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If leaf color change is related to temperature, then exposing plants to low temperatures will result in changes in leaf color. Notice that these statements contain the words if and then. They are necessary in a formalized hypothesis. If you always ask yourself that if one thing is related to another, then you should be able to test it.
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Formalized hypotheses contain two variables. One is independent and the other is dependent. The independent variable is the one you, the scientist control The dependent variable is the one that you observe and/or measure the results.
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But not all if-then statements are hypotheses. For example, "If I play the lottery, then I will get rich." This is a simple prediction. In a formalized hypothesis, a tentative relationship is stated. For example, if the frequency of winning is related to frequency of buying lottery tickets.
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A study was done to find if different tire treads affect the breaking distance of a car. Independent: Dependent Hypothesis --- Make sure a relationship between the I and D variables is clear
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