Overview of Scientific Method and Project Components

1. Overview of Scientific Method and Project Components YCSEE Teacher Training November 23, 2013

2. Project Components • Scientific Method • All projects must use the Scientific Method and must contain a variable (some change in the procedure where comparisons can be made) that has been tested with at least 5 trials. • A demonstration project models a scientific concept or principle without testing a variable. • It displays facts or information and may be put on display, but will not be judged. • All the following components must be included in the project presentation except the extensive research paper which is optional. • The problem, hypothesis, procedure, observations/results and conclusionshould appear on the presentations board. • All other materials are considered extraneous and should be placed with the display in any optional space, either on the board or on the table with the board.

3. Scientific Method • Observe • Do Research • Form a Hypothesis • Test the Hypothesis • Collect Data • Analyze Data • Draw Conclusions • Publish methods, results and conclusions for peer review

4. Observe/Do Research • You observe something (phenomena) and want to explain what you observe but cannot • May or may not be known by someone else or be a new phenomena • You do research about the idea to see if someone else has observed and described the same thing. • You go to the internet • You go to the library • You ask people who might know • You watch and observe phenomena

5. Project Components - Problem • PROBLEM: The question to be tested. • Should be stated as an interrogative sentence implying more than a yes or no response. • Should identify the independent variable (the factor that is changed or tested) and the dependent variable (what will be measured or should change). • Examples: • What is the effect of ___ on ___? • How do/does____ affect____? • To what extent do/does____affect____?

6. Form a Hypothesis • After research, gathered facts and some creative thinking are used to come up with a possible explanation. • Inductive reasoning --- using specific observations and the process of logic to come up with a hypothesis. • A hypothesis is… • an “Educated Guess” • based on the research and not just a guess • testable • must be phrased in such a way as to be tested

7. Project Components - Hypothesis • HYPOTHESIS: An educated guess that outlines what is believed to be the intended outcome of the experiment. • Should also contain a statement of why this outcome will be observed based on some kind of background knowledge. • Participant may use any of the following models in helping them construct a hypothesis. • If I _______then______, because_________. • __________, when I ________ because___________. • If I change ________ then________ will (change by) ______, because_______. • The statement that _______ (is/is not) true because ________. • (More/Less) ________ will _________, because _________.

8. Test a Hypothesis • You do not prove your hypothesis…you falsify it. • Experiments are designed to falsify the hypothesis by yielding evidence (data) to disprove it. • If the evidence (data) that is gathered does support the hypothesis, the hypothesis is accepted on a trial basis only. • It is never accepted as absolute truth. • Future investigations may falsify the hypothesis.

9. Project Components - Procedure • PROCEDURE: A list of the steps used to conduct the experiment. • Each statement should begin with an action verb and contain a description of the use of the constant, independent and dependent variables. • A materials list should be included. • Indicate a minimum of 5 trials.

10. Collect/Analyze Data • Quantitative data • More easily reproducible and testable. • Explains a specific situation with numbers and objective data • Qualitative data • Deals with conducting interviews and observing and recoding behavior • Focuses on process instead of outcomes • Data collection methods must be repeatable by others • After the data is collected it is analyzed • Statistical tests are often used to describe data that has great amounts of variation

11. Project Components – Observation/Results • OBSERVATIONS/RESULTS: Collected quantitative data from the experiment. • Should be displayed with a chart, graph, pictures, log/journal or some other type of recording device that accurately shows what happened while the experiment was being conducted. • Should display data collection of 5 or more trials.

12. Project Components - Conclusion • CONCLUSION: An interpretation/analysis of the observations/results of the experimental procedure. • States whether the hypothesis was or was not supported. • Answers the question "What was learned?". • The results should be interpreted and justified, but should not be stated as a proof. • May contain a statement about further exploration.

13. Publish methods, results and conclusions for peer review • Peer review… • eliminate bias • allow for others to reproduce the experiment and determine if they get the same results • Types of Publications • Research Paper • Review Paper

14. Project Components – Narrative Report/Research paper • NARRATIVE REPORT: This 2-3 page, 12 font double-spaced document (if typed), excluding attached bibliography, is designed to help facilitate judging. • Cover page is optional • Should give a brief overview of the project, a short review of research, and any other information that would provide evidence for assessing the project • Bibliography for : • 4th and 5th grade projects should contain one or more sources. • 6th through 8th grade projects should have a minimum of 3 sources. • 9th through 12th grade projects should have a minimum of 5 sources • RESEARCH PAPER: Optional for grades 4-8. Mandatory for grades 9-12. • This paper may be any length and should contain researched information that supports the experiment • Should contain a complete bibliography of sources and be placed with extraneous materials

15. Poster Samples