The Scientific Method I Problem Investigate Hypothesis Investigate

The Scientific Method I. Problem Investigate Hypothesis Investigate Experiment Results Analysis Conclusion

§ Problem-What will happen if we do something? -Need to optimize a situation. - desired outcome is not being met. § Hypothesis-A statement that can be disproven or supported. § Experiment-procedure to test the hypothesis § Results-Data collected during the experiment. § Analysis/Conclusion-How did your data affect your hypothesis?

§ II. The Process § A. Problem 1. A situation where the desired outcome is not being met B. Hypothesis 1. A STATEMENT that can either be supported or disproven C. Experiment 1. The process through which a hypothesis is tested

§ § § a. Variable – The one thing that will change in an experiment. - If there is any change in the results it will be due to this factor b. Control - No variable changes are made to this group - gives experimenters something to compare the variable to

§ § § § D. Results 1. The findings are listed off E. Analysis 1. What do the numbers mean? F. Conclusion 1. What are the implications on your hypothesis? § WHAT IS THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN THE SCIENTIFIC PROCESS?

What is a Theory? § A tested, possible explanation of a natural event. § Examples: Theory of Evolution Big Bang Theory of Relativity Quantum Theory

Theory (continued) § Think about this analogy: A theory is like a car…certain parts may be changed without changing the overall job that it performs moving you from place to place. Theories can be modified over time as experimental evidence changes but they still attempt to explain the same concept…

What is a Scientific Law? § A summary of an observed natural event. § Examples: Law of Gravity Newton’s 2 nd Laws of Thermodynamics

Scientific Law (continued) § Think about this analogy: a scientific law is like a slingshot…it has only 1 moving part…you put the rock in and pull it back…it will fly out at a predictable speed based on how far you pull it back…this is like changing the value of one variable in an equation and seeing what impact it has on the others

Summary: Theories and Laws § Theories are usually very complex combining many scientific principles in an attempt to explain…whereas, laws apply to one and only one event and attempt to describe it.

Observations Inferences

Inference vs. I. Observation Inference A. The act of reasoning from factual knowledge or evidence. B. Very similar to an assumption. 1. Ex: The sun will come up tomorrow 2. Ex: If you put your hand in boiling water it will burn.

II. Observation A. The act of noting and recording something B. For something to be observed, some type of instrument must be used 1. Ears, Eyes, Thermometer 2. Observations are recorded as data III. Types of data A. Qualitative 1. 'Soft' data that approximates but does not measure the attributes, characteristics, etc. , of a thing or phenomenon.

2. Qualitative data describes whereas quantitative data defines. 3. Ex: Color, general shape, how you feel B. Quantitative data 1. Measurable data that can be statistically manipulated 2. Measures quantities or “how much” 3. Ex: 6 inches, 560 nm, IQ=120 a. If it exists there is probably an instrument to measure it.