Scientific Method Chapter 1 What is science Definition

Scientific Method Chapter 1

What is science? • Definition- a body of language based on the study of nature • Science is always changing as technology advances • Science is based on inquiry that seeks to develop explanations • Science is dependent on observation and experimentation • Science uses explanations to make useful predictions

How do scientists work? • Scientific Method- common steps used by scientists to gather information and solve problems • Process used by scientists to solve a problem • Steps of scientific method

Observation • Act of noting or perceiving objects/ events using senses

Problem • Ask a question about what you observe

Hypothesis • Definition- testable explanation for a problem based on an educated guess • Based on cause and effect relationships (if…. . then statement) • Example: If soil temperatures rise, then plant growth will increase. • Based on preliminary observations and scientific literature (ex. Scientific Journals) • Prediction- expected outcome of a test, assuming the hypothesis is correct

Experiment • Definition- procedure that tests a hypothesis by collecting information under controlled conditions - clear, replicable procedures

Parts of a good/valid experiment -Control group: standard, all conditions kept the same, used for comparison - Experimental group- group that you experiment with

Control vs. Experimental Control Group Experimental Group A student wanted to test the effects of sunlight on the growth of plants.

Variables - Independent variable (IV)- one thing that’s different - Dependent variable (DV)- physically measured Example…Billy Bob wanted to test the effect of different color lights on plant height. Billy Bob planted the same amount of soil in Group A and in Group B. In Group A Billy bob put the plants in normal light and in Group B he tested the effect of blue light.

Collect Data and Analysis • Quantitative data- expressed by #’s, obtained by counting or measuring ex. 5 mice, plants grew 20”, 20 cats • Qualitative data-descriptive ex. All fish appear healthy, green pea pods

Conclusion • State whether your prediction was confirmed or not and try to explain your results. • Accept/ reject hypothesis • Experimental Error- what errors have caused your hypothesis to be rejected (human error, too many variables, biases) • Ways to improve or expand research

Review of Scientific Method 1) Identify a Problem 2) State Observations about the problem 3) Form a Hypothesis about the problem (if…then…) 4) Design an Experiment to test the hypothesis 5) Collect Data 6) Form a Conclusion 7) Retest Brain. Pop-Scientific Method http: //glencoe. mcgrawhill. com/sites/0078695104/student_v iew 0/brain_pop_movies. html#

Science and Technology • Science is both a body of knowledge and a process of finding answers • Technology is the practical application of science (ex. Computer, laser) • Scientists use and depend on technology, technology improves by increased knowledge from scientists • Science and Technology are dependent on each other

Science and Technology • Because science and technology are always changing, theories can change • Theory- well tested statement that unifies a broad range of observation • Theories can change as new evidence becomes available

Limitations of Science • Money • Availability of equipment • Skills