Scientific method notes

1. Scientific method notes

2. 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

3. 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

4. Scientific Method • Introduction (observe something you want to know about) • Question (a question that can be answered by and investigation) • Hypothesis (a prediction that is educated and can be tested) • Materials • Procedure • Data (Data table, Graph) • Conclusion

5. Scientific Method Specifics • Hypothesis: An educated guess that can be tested by an investigation • Written in If…..,then…..,because…… • On the next slide let’s practice writing hypotheses. • Remember • If(manipulated variable), then (responding variable), because (scientific explanation)

6. 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 variable • Change the format • Make a prediction

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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?

10. 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

11. 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

12. Quantitative vs. Qualitative • Identify each in you 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.

13. Quantitative Vs. Qualitative • Qualitative (QL) • Quantitative (QA) • Quantitative (QA) • Quantitative (QA) • Qualitative (QL) • Both (QA and QL)

14. Practice Problems Use the information below to write a testable question for an experiment 1). MV: Change In Light RV: Growth of grass seed Hypothesis: If the light level of a grass seed is changed from normal, then it will grow less, because it will be outside of it’s normal environment. CV: Seed type, Soil, Temperature Measurement: Measure seed growth in cm or mm.

15. Practice problems Use the information below to write a testable question for an experiment 2). MV: Use of boric acid RV: Movement of ant across the paper Hypothesis: If Boric acid is placed on a piece of paper, then an ant will not cross the paper, because they will not want to step on the acid. CV: paper type, Ant type, Light level Measurement: Whether an ant crosses the paper or not, yes or no.

16. 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:__________________________

17. Practice Problems Use the variable to write a questions and hypothesis. 4). MV: Use of vitamins RV: Kitten Growth Hypothesis____________________________. Question:______________________________. Questions 1-4 will be talked about in class on Tuesday 02/17/11 Make sure to have completed these questions in your notes

18. 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.

19. 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

20. Put these notes in your notebook!!!!