1. Techniques for Investigating

2. What is Scientific Inquiry? An orderly approach to investigating and solving problems. Similar to solving everyday problems but more consistent. We all use it!!

3. 1. Observations Observations are made to create and develop questions before the experiment begins. Gather as much information about the object/phenomena that you are observing. Types of Observations Qualitative- Observations made using your senses (taste, touch, smell, sounds, sight) Quantitative- Observations made using numerical data.

4. Rules to Follow: No Opinions Complete Sentences Avoid pronouns (it, they, he, she, etc.) Be very detailed!!!

5. 2. Problem Statement Initial Inquiry (trying to solve a problem) What is your goal or what idea are you trying to test? Must be stated as a question. (Why, How, What) Must be based on the observation Don’t reword the observation, make the question testable.

6. Example Observation: The socks seem whiter when Fry’s bleach is used versus Safeway’s bleach. Problem Statement: What ingredients are used in Fry’s bleach that aren’t used in Safeway’s bleach? versus

7. 3. Hypothesis An educated guess Answers the Problem Statement (question) IF, THEN, BECAUSE Based on the observation and can be testable and measurable! This may require research!!

8. Try it! Observation: People do not get as much sleep if people exercise right before bed. Problem statement: Hypothesis:

9. 4. Variables Find the variables of the experiment Dependent or Independent Independent (IV): what is being changed in the experiment (what you control) Dependent (DV): What changes as a result of the independent variable Constant – what doesn’t change Control – standard for comparison

10. 5. Procedures/ Experimental Plan The process of testing the hypothesis Step by step procedure which describes the purpose for performing the lab. Stated in your own words! No pronouns! Example: I taped the ruler to the table. WRONG Tape the ruler to the table. RIGHT Can include visuals/sketch and labeled

11. 6. Collection of Data Chart – often a grid that displays data in a sensible manner Graph – offers a visual representation of data Model – Can represent an object, idea, or event.

12. 7. Conclusion At least two paragraphs 1st paragraph Purpose of experiment Restate Hypothesis Variables 2 nd Paragraph Did your results match your hypothesis Explain using data and patterns What would you change or keep the same Was it successful/unsuccessful

13. Example The purpose of the experiment was to test the effect of exercise on heart rate. The exercise chosen was jumping jacks, the testers hypothesized: If a person does 15 jumping jacks in 30 seconds then the person’s heart will increase, because the heart is working harder to pump more blood. Since the heart rate was expected to change the heart rate became the dependent variable and the exercise or jumping jacks was the independent variable. The subject used the hand pulse technique to gather data on the heart rate while the tester used a stopwatch to time. During this experiment the same person was used, the person tested the resting heart rate and recording the data on the data table. The experiment tested the heart rate at the end of 30 seconds, during which the person performed 15 jumping jacks. A 15 second rest was given to check the heart rate and the test would begin again. At the end of 5 trials the heart rate had increased a total of 45 bpm. The data showed that after each trial the heart rate increased 10 bpm. Therefore the results did match the hypothesis in that the heart rate increases as exercise is performed. To make this experiment more reliable more subjects should have been used and the number of trials increased to 10.