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Scientific method notes. General Info. Science = Latin for “to know” Biology = Science of Life Inquiry = People asking questions Observation = The use of the senses to gather and record information. Scientific Method. Inference: Logical Conclusion based on an observation
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General Info • Science= Latin for “to know” • Biology= Science of Life • Inquiry= People asking questions • Observation= The use of the senses to gather and record information
Scientific Method • Inference: Logical Conclusion based on an observation • Generalization: When many specific observations are put together to reach a general conclusion. • Theory: A well tested explanation that makes sense of many varied scientific observations. • Theory of Natural selection
Scientific Method Steps • Introduction/Observation • observe something you want to know about • Question • a question that can be answered by an investigation • Included the variables being tested • Hypothesis • a prediction that is educated and can be tested • Written in “IF, THEN, BECAUSE” Format
Materials • A complete list of all equipment and ingredients • Procedure • (A logical set of instructions describing each step) • Any person should be able to duplicate the experiment • Data • Data table and Graphs showing all data collected and compared • Conclusion • A statement that answers the initial question, shows whether the hypothesis was supported or rejected.
Variables • Manipulated Variable: A variable that is changed by the experimenter • Responding Variable: A variable that is measured in the experiment • Controlled Variable: A variable that is kept the same throughout the entire experiment. • Experimental Control: A test subject that is unchanged or left in it’s original state, used to compare to the manipulated subjects.
Variable practice • MV: RV: • MV RV: • MV: RV:
Variable practiceIdentify the MV and RV • If chocolate is given to teachers, then amount of homework will decrease, because the teacher is happy! • If trees have leaves, then bird nests will increase because the leaves protect them from view • If plants are watered, then growth height will increase because plants use water to make food.
Variable practiceIdentify the MV and RV • If chocolate is given to teachers, then amount of homework will decrease, because the teacher is happy! • If trees have leaves, then bird nests will increase because the leaves protect them from view • If plants are watered, then growth height will increase because plants use water to make food. • MV • RV
Testable Question • Question: A testable question is a must for any experiment • The question must include the manipulated variable, the responding variable, and should be testable.
Practice Problems Use the information below to write a testable question for an experiment 1). MV: amount of light RV: Growth of grass seed Question format: How will (Manipulated Variable) affect (Responding Variable)?
Practice problems Use the information below to write a testable question for an experiment 2). MV: Type of food RV: speed of ants carrying food
Scientific Method Specifics • Hypothesis: An educated guess that can be tested by an investigation **Hypothesis Format** • If (manipulated variable), then (responding variable), because (scientific explanation)
Hypothesis PracticeWrite a hypothesis for the given question • What affect does studying with music have on a student’s test scores? • How do I make this a hypothesis? • Identify the variables (manipulated, responding) • Manipulated is usually found at the beginning of the question • Responding is usually found after the manipulated • Change the format (If, Then, Because) • Make a prediction (what do you think will happen?)
Hypothesis PracticeWrite a hypothesis for the given question • What affect does studying with music have on student test scores? • What is being changed and measured? • The red words tell us what is being changed • Studying with or without music • The yellow words tell us what is being measured. • Student test scores • Using this information, write a hypothesis • *Remember* IF___THEN____BECAUSE_____
Hypothesis PracticeWrite a hypothesis for the given question • What affect does studying with music have on student test scores? • Here is an example: • If a student studies with music, then they will have higher test scores, because they aren’t being distracted while they study.
Hypothesis PracticeWrite a hypothesis for the given question • What affect does the color of food have on the amount of food fish eat? • What affect does smiling have on a teacher giving no homework? • How does serving mystery meat for lunch change the length of the lunch line?
Hypothesis PracticeWrite a hypothesis for the given question • What affect does the color of food have on the amount of food fish eat? • What affect does smiling have on a teacher giving no homework? • How does serving mystery meat for lunch change the length of the lunch line? • Using these hints of variables please write your own hypotheses in if….,then….,because…. format
Data • Quantitative data: Measurements or observations recorded numerically • Ex: • 5 pounds • 8 feet • Qualitative data: Measurements or observations recorded as descriptions • Ex: • Mom is blond haired • The building is square
Identify each in your notes as quantitative (QA) or qualitative (QL) • The ball was red, bouncy, and smooth • The ball bounced 5 mm high • The boy skateboarded the course in 20 seconds • The girl ran the race in 15 seconds • The frog was not moving, cold to the touch, and dry • The experiment made 1 pound of goo each minute and it was green and squishy.
Quantitative Vs. Qualitative • Qualitative (QL) • Quantitative (QA) • Quantitative (QA) • Quantitative (QA) • Qualitative (QL) • Both (QA and QL)
Practice Problems Use the information below to decide what measurements should be used in this experiment 3). MV: Change in Temperature RV: Growth of radish seeds Hypothesis: If the temperature of a radish seed is changed then it will grow less because it was placed in an unfamiliar environment Measurement:__________________________
Practice Problems Use the variables to write a question and hypothesis. 4). MV: Use of vitamins RV: Kitten Growth Question:________________________. Hypothesis:________________________.
Manipulated Variable Conditions • With in a manipulated variable there must be at least 3 conditions tested • Ex: MV: change in water temperature • 10oC • 20oC • 30oC • RV: Speed of swimmer
MV Condition Practice • MV: 1 2 3 RV: • MV 1 2 3 RV:
MV Condition Practice • How does a change in temperature affect the growth of gold fish? • How do different color lights affect the growth of bean plants?
MV Condition Practice • MV: Temperature change 1 2 3 RV: gold fish growth • MV: Different color lights 1 2 3 RV: Growth of bean plants
Lab consistency • Validity: Steps taken in a lab to ensure the outcome to be consistent and the data to be accurate • Reliability: Repeating the lab multiple times to ensure that the outcome is consistent