THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

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Science as a way of Knowing

If you are a thinker, you question things you observe and may not understand, and you try to find an answer. There are many ways to find these answers. If you are a scientific thinker you find your answer using the scientific method.

Example: Why is the sky blue?

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The Scientific Method A process of systematically collecting information to

possible explain observations Where does it start?

Observations Stages

Specific problem/question Formulate hypothesis Experimentation Analyze & interpret Conclude & summarize

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Problem/QuestionProblem/Question

A natural result of experiencing an observation

What are some qualities of a good problem or question?Can it be answered?Can it be refuted? Is it testable?Specific and no ambiguity

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HypothesisHypothesis

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Types of Research Basic Research

How did the universe begin? What are protons, neutrons, and electrons composed of? How do slime molds reproduce? What is the specific genetic code of the fruit fly?

Applied Research improve agricultural crop production treat or cure a specific disease improve the energy efficiency of homes, offices, or modes of

transportation

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ExperimentationExperimentation Devise a procedure

Determine variables present Which will you manipulate? Which will you measure? What’s the role of extraneous

variables? “controls” Dependent vs. Independent

How will you measure?

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A good vs. great experiment… “Control group” vs. experimental groups

General controls: the “normal” or no treatment Positive controls: Definite results; the results are expected to

happen Negative controls: Definitely no result; expecting nothing to

happen Sample size considerations

The larger the sample size, the more likely an accurate outcome

Carry-out your procedure Collect ALL data

Qualitative vs. quantitative data Statistics

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SI System / Metric System All measures must be metric! Adopted system for world wide

scientific community Converting among metric

Change prefix Based on units of 10

Change from English System

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Tables and Graphs Tables help organize collected data

Graphs are a representation of the connection between variables using dataDifferent types

Determined by variables

Extrapolating predicting based on patterns of real data

Interpolating Looking at points on actual graph

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Analyze Data

This does not mean evaluating the data. Only stating the data trends and doing some mathematical analysis.

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Summarize & Conclude

Make conclusions based upon resultsMay require some more library researchProvide possible explanations

Was your hypothesis supported or refuted?Hypotheses are never proven

Possible errors Avenues for further research

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Theory vs. Law Theory –

A well tested hypothesis that compiles a large body of evidence Darwin’s Theory of Evolution

Law – Statement of concise observations that happen in exactly the

same conditions / circumstances Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation

Both attempt to predict/explain future observations but both can be found false

Plants in your parents’ room grow much taller and greener than plants in your sister’s room. Your sister listens to rap music, while your parents listen to classical music.

1.State the Problem

2.Give a proper Hypothesis

3.Identify the Independent Variable

4.Identify the Dependent Variable

5.Identify the Control

6.List four Constants

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