Asking Questions Good Scientific Questions A good scientific

Asking Questions

Good Scientific Questions • A good scientific question can be answered by direct observations or scientific tools • Examples of questions that are NOT scientific are based on values and opinions – What people believe to be right or wrong

Tips for Asking Good Scientific Questions • 1. Begin by asking several questions about a topic • 2. Get rid of questions that cannot be answered by direct observations or gathering evidence • 3. Break this broad question into smaller questions • 4. Use specific language

Start Broad • Scientists will start off with a question such as: – Why do people get colds? • This question is then broken down into smaller questions such as… – Can you catch a cold from someone else? – Is there a relationship between getting chills and catching a cold?

Wording Questions • Scientific questions take a unique and specific form. • Here are some phrases to begin scientific questions: – What is the relationship between…? – What factors cause…? – How does ______ effect ______? – What is the effect of _______ on ______?

Practice! • Directions: In your notes, – 1. Read each statement and determine if it can be investigated scientifically. – 2. If it can, re-write the statement in the form of a scientific question using specific scientific wording.