SCIENTIFIC Thinking and Processes The scientific method is

SCIENTIFIC Thinking and Processes

The scientific method is a logical, systematic approach to the solution of a scientific problem. * Scientists use the scientific method to solve problems and develop theories about the natural world.

Steps of the Scientific Method • 1. Ask a Question • 2. Forming a Hypothesis • 3. Test the Hypothesis • 4. Record & Analyze Data • 5. Drawing Conclusions

1. Ask a Question * collect observations * what is happening around you

Observations : • The act of noting or perceiving objects or events • using the senses to gather information

Making Observations What is the difference between an Observation and an Inference? • An observation is only what your senses tell you. • An inference takes what you observe and adds judgment to it.

Qualitative Vs. Quantitative • Qualitative = observations that rely on just the senses. refers to the quality of a substance examples: color, large or small, big or little, hot or cold • Quantitative = observations that give a measurement of the substance. has a number and unit attached to the observation

2. Form a Hypothesis * make a prediction

Hypothesis : (plural = Hypotheses) • ‘hypo’ = under or below • ‘thesis’ = theory • An educated guess or explanation that might be true • A statement that can be tested by additional observations or experimentation. • An “if” and “then” statement

Prediction : • The expected outcome of a test

3. Test the Hypothesis * with experiments when necessary

Experiment : • A planned procedure to test a hypothesis with 2 parts. 1. ) Control Set-up 2. ) Experimental Set-up

Must be included in an Experiment Control • Your STANDARD of comparison. • (what you compare your results too) • (did you make a difference) Constants • Parts of the experiment that MUST NOT change. • (not having constants will cause your experiment to have more than 1 independent variable)

Control Group : • A part of the control set-up that receives no experimental treatment. * no variables

Experimental Group : • Identical to the control group except for the one factor being tested. * has the variable

Independent Variable : • The factor that is being tested in the experiment. * what you think the answer is * a. k. a. = manipulated variable

Dependent Variable : • The variable that is measured in an experiment. *the results (data) * a. k. a. = responding variable

4. ) Record and Analyze Data

Data : • All observations and measurements from the experiment.

Accuracy Vs. Precision * Accuracy is a measure of how close a measurement comes to the actual or true value of whatever is measured. * Precision is a measure of how close a series of measurements are to one another, irrespective of the actual value.

The closeness of a dart to the bull’s-eye corresponds to the degree of accuracy. The closeness of several darts to one another corresponds to the degree of precision. Good Accuracy, Good Precision Poor Accuracy, Poor Precision

5. Drawing Conclusions • What does the data say? • Hypothesis is either supported or rejected based on results.

Scientists will publish their work in Scientific Journals only after they have met strict review criteria. LIBRARY T OR P R I A RESEARCH TAL I P S HO

Theory : • A set of related hypotheses that have been tested and confirmed many times by many scientists. • To scientists, a theory represents that of which they are most certain. MOST LOGICAL EXPLANATION but not the only one

Scientific Law: • A concise statement that summarizes the results of many observations and experiments. A law doesn’t try to explain the relationship it describes. That explanation requires a theory.