Section 1- The Methods of Section 1- The Methods of ScienceScience

What is ScienceWhat is Science

Science comes from Latin word Science comes from Latin word scientia…scientia… which means which means knowledgeknowledge..What are we trying to gain knowledge about?What are we trying to gain knowledge about?Nature!Nature!What are some rules that nature follows?What are some rules that nature follows?

Science is a method for studying the natural world!Science is a method for studying the natural world!

Major Categories of ScienceMajor Categories of Science

Life ScienceLife Science Living thingsLiving things

Earth ScienceEarth Science Earth and SpaceEarth and Space

Physical SciencePhysical Science Deals with matter and energy.Deals with matter and energy.

(CATEGORIES MAY OVERLAP)(CATEGORIES MAY OVERLAP)

SCEINCE HELPS YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE NATURAL WORLDSCEINCE HELPS YOU TO UNDERSTAND THE NATURAL WORLD

Science in your daily routine…Science in your daily routine…

Science is used everyday by everyone… Science is used everyday by everyone… Recite your daily routine and think about all of Recite your daily routine and think about all of

the science that you use. the science that you use.

InvestigationsInvestigations

To observe or study by close examination.To observe or study by close examination.What is something you investigate everyday?What is something you investigate everyday?How do you record more complicated things?How do you record more complicated things?

Several Types…Several Types…Observing and recordingObserving and recordingExperimentsExperimentsBuilding a model and testing it to see how Building a model and testing it to see how

something actssomething actsany others?any others?

Scientific MethodsScientific Methods

An organized set of investigation An organized set of investigation proceduresprocedures

Six common stepsSix common stepsScientists may add or repeat stepsScientists may add or repeat steps

6 steps6 steps Stating the ProblemStating the Problem

Observe natural world and ask “why?” or “how?”Observe natural world and ask “why?” or “how?” Researching and Gathering InformationResearching and Gathering Information

Learn as much as possible about the background of the problem.Learn as much as possible about the background of the problem. Forming a HypothesisForming a Hypothesis

Coming up with a possible explanation.Coming up with a possible explanation. Testing a HypothesisTesting a Hypothesis

Experiments test the effects of one thing on another using controlled Experiments test the effects of one thing on another using controlled conditions. (Variables, Constants, and Controls.)conditions. (Variables, Constants, and Controls.)

Analyze DataAnalyze Data Interpreting results: easy to read tables and graphs.Interpreting results: easy to read tables and graphs.

Draw ConclusionsDraw Conclusions Is you Hypothesis supported or not. Did you guess correctly? No Bias!Is you Hypothesis supported or not. Did you guess correctly? No Bias!

VariablesVariables

A factor that can cause a change in the results A factor that can cause a change in the results of an experiment.of an experiment. Ex: You might set up an experiment to determine the Ex: You might set up an experiment to determine the

amount of fertilizer that will help plants grow the amount of fertilizer that will help plants grow the biggestbiggest

Dependent Variable- value changes according Dependent Variable- value changes according to other variables.to other variables. Amount of growthAmount of growth

Independent Variable- you change this to see Independent Variable- you change this to see how it affects the dependent variable.how it affects the dependent variable. Different FertilizersDifferent Fertilizers

Controls and ConstantsControls and Constants

Constant- a factor that does not change Constant- a factor that does not change when other variables do. when other variables do. Using the same type of soil, same amount of Using the same type of soil, same amount of

water and sunlight, same temperature.water and sunlight, same temperature.Control- the standard by which the tests Control- the standard by which the tests

results can be compared to.results can be compared to.One plant would not have any fertilizer.One plant would not have any fertilizer.

Scientific Theories and LawsScientific Theories and Laws

Theory- an explanation of things or events Theory- an explanation of things or events based on knowledge gained from many based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations.observations and investigations.

Law- a statement about what happens in Law- a statement about what happens in nature and that seems to be true all the nature and that seems to be true all the time. time.

TechnologyTechnology

Is the application of science to help Is the application of science to help people.people.Science and technology are not Science and technology are not

interchangeable.interchangeable.Ex: when a chemist develops new, lightweight Ex: when a chemist develops new, lightweight

material that can withstand great amounts of material that can withstand great amounts of heat, science is used. When that material is heat, science is used. When that material is used on a space shuttle, technology is used on a space shuttle, technology is applied.applied.

Keeping Bias out of experimentsKeeping Bias out of experiments

A bias occurs when what the scientist A bias occurs when what the scientist expects changes how the results are expects changes how the results are viewed. viewed. This expectation might cause a scientist to This expectation might cause a scientist to

select a result from one trial over another. select a result from one trial over another. A bias can be lessoned by many trials and by A bias can be lessoned by many trials and by

keeping accurate noteskeeping accurate notesGlobal Warming?Global Warming?