The The Scientific Scientific MethodMethod

Warm Up Unit 1 Day 4•How is a guess different from an educated guess and how is a theory different from a hypothesis?

Warm Up Answer Day 4A guess would be based on no information whatsoever. An educated guess is a hypothesis which is an explanation based on prior scientific research or observations that can be tested. A scientific theory is an explanation based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning.

Scientific Method

Observe

Observe(What do you see?)

Question(What do you wonder?)

Collect Data(What do you know?)

Hypothesize

(What do you think?)

Test(Are you correct?)

Experiment(What does nature do?)

Analyze(What does nature say?)

Conclude(Does nature agree?)

Scientific

Non-Scientific

Share(What do others think?)

Validate(Do others agree?)

(Also found on page 1 of the

Skills &Methods packet)

The “Spectrum of Certainty”

We test (experiment) to uncover more evidence!It is the job of science to disprove theories!

Guess Hypothesis

Observation Experimentation

Conclusion

Increasing Evidence / Time

Theory Law

Verification Reliability

Scientific RevolutionNew Insight or Discovery

Scientific Means… “FiLCHeRS”

Falsifiable“Is there a test that could prove it wrong?”

Logical“Is the evidence logical and follow from it’s

premises?”

Comprehensive“Is all possible evidence is available to help

support the claim?”

“FiLCHeRS” cont.Honesty

“All evidence must be evaluated without self-deception.”

Replicable“Can others reproduce the same results?”

Sufficiency“Is it supported by observed and verified

evidence?”

Horoscope Activity1. Using the lab table numbers 1 through 12,

group yourselves according to your horoscopes.

2. In your group, read through each of the 12 descriptions and identify which number you believe corresponds to your zodiacal sign.

Science vs. Pseudoscience

Ophiuchus…the 13th sign.Ophiuchus, formerly referred to as Serpentarius the former originating in Greek and the latter in Latin, both meaning "serpent-holder," is one of the 88 constellations and was also one of the 48 listed by Ptolemy. Of the 13 zodiacal constellations (constellations that contain the Sun during the course of the year), Ophiuchus is the only one not counted as an astrological sign. The Sun is in Ophiuchus from November 30th until December 17th.

Designing an Experiment• Decide what it is you are investigating.

– What do I want to observe?

• Identify and choose variables.– What factors might influence what I am observing?– Which ones do I want to test?

• Determine how you will measure.– How can I accurately measure what I am testing?

• Choose a control condition.– What set of conditions will I compare everything else to?

• Decide which conditions to test.– How will I change the variables that I want to test?

• Determine what will be an adequate amount of data.– How much data will I need to form an accurate conclusion?

Getting Reliable Data• Set a control condition.• Test only one variable at a time.• Perform multiple trials for each condition.• Have multiple experimenters repeat your

experiment.• Identify and address sources of error.

Mystery Device• Observe• Question• Collect Data• Hypothesize• Experiment• Analyze• Conclude

Procedure:1) Pull on one item and predict which other

item(s) are going to move.2) Repeat until you have 8 tests and you think

you know how the tube looks inside.Data:

Test Hypothesis Observation

Pull on magnet Only the stopper will move

Mysterious ConclusionsDraw a picture of what you think the inside of the tube looks like. Write a paragraph describing why you think you have the answer.

Closure – Day 4What types of future issues surrounding the world do you think science will play a role in answering?