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Understanding the Nature of Science: A Continuous Process of Discovery

Science is a continuous process seeking to understand the natural world through testable means, subject to change based on evidence. Learn about theories vs. laws, steps of the scientific method, and the importance of variables and controls in experiments. Explore how scientists form hypotheses, conduct experiments, and draw conclusions to expand knowledge creatively and without bias.

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Understanding the Nature of Science: A Continuous Process of Discovery

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  1. •The Nature of Science = Continuous process thatseeks to answer questions about the naturalworld. •Science only deals with things that areTESTABLE!

  2. 1. Science is subjectto change. D Pulling medicine offshelvesbecause researchers found out it harms people. D Scientists thought theworldwas onceflat D Pluto is not longerconsidereda planet

  3. 2. Does not alwaysprovide complete answers toall questions. D What happenedtothe dinosaurs?; no one knows for sure!

  4. 3. Sciencedemands evidence – i.e.DATA!!! D Whatcertain medicines willtreat

  5. 4.Creativity D Doctors and scientistshaveto think on theirfeet;not allcases are the same for Dr.’s and scientist have to be able to trouble shoot.

  6. Explains andpredicts Scientist try to identify andAVOID bias

  7. Theory vs.Law • Theory - is an explanation based on many observations (hypothesis is repeatedly verified over time and through may separateexperiments) • enable scientists to predict new facts and relationships of naturalphenomenon • often revised as new information is gathered. • Ex: Cell Theory, Theory ofEvolution

  8. Theory vs.Law •Law = describes relationshipsunder certain conditions innature -Ex: Law of Gravity; Law of Conservation ofMatter

  9. Steps of the Scientific Method: • State theProblem • Ex: How does red light effect plant growth? • GatherInformation • About theproblem

  10. Steps of the ScientificMethod: • Form aHypothesis • A hypothesis mustbe: • Testable • Related to theproblem • Written in “ IF …, THEN ” format • Ex: If a plant is placed under red light, then the plant will not grow verytall.

  11. Steps of the ScientificMethod: • Perform theExperiment • MakeOBSERVATIONS!!

  12. Steps of the ScientificMethod: • B. Choose thevariables: • Your Independent variable is the factor that you will change in your experiment. (thefactor beingtested) • NOT controlled orinfluenced by somethingelse • Ex: Redlight

  13. Steps of the ScientificMethod: b) The Dependent variable is what you predict will change as a result of variation in your experiment. ●IS controlled or influenced by something else (independent variable) ●Ex: PlantGrowth

  14. Steps of the ScientificMethod: • ote he independent variable influences the dependentvariable!

  15. Steps of the ScientificMethod: • AControl • The control is a group that serves as a standard of comparison.

  16. Control,(continued) • It is exposed to the same conditions as the treatment groups except for thevariable beingtested. • Ex: a plant placed in regular sunlight (not exposed tored light)

  17. Steps of the ScientificMethod: • Decide the numberof REPLICATES • Replicates are the repetition ofan experiment (trials) andthesame conditions are kept in the experiment. • Providesbetter statisticaldata (averages)

  18. Steps of the ScientificMethod: • Specify theCONSTANTS • The constants in an experimentare the factors that DO NOT change. (Ex: temperature, equipment,etc.) • What your constants will be will depend on what question you are asking.

  19. Constants,(continued) • What your constants will be will depend on what question you are asking. • Ex: type of plant, amount of water, type of soil, amount of fertilizer, keeping plants at same temperature, same size pots,etc.

  20. Steps of the ScientificMethod: 5. Collect and analyze thedata

  21. Steps of the ScientificMethod: • DrawConclusions • Describe whathappened • Restate thehypothesis • Explain the results using the dataand • research • Propose an alternative hypothesis basedon the data that wascollected

  22. There are no wrong answers to questions, only answers thatprovide Questions and collected information help scientists form hypotheses.As Observe anunexplained phenomenon. Collect information. Makeobservations. scientists with more information aboutthose questions. experiments are conducted, hypotheses might or might not besupported. Askquestions. Use prior knowledge. Review relatedresearch. Form ahypothesis. Design an experiment to test the chosenhypothesis. Conduct an experimentand record thedata. Compare actualresults. expectedresults. Draw aconclusion. Repeat experimentmany times until results are consistent. Refine andtest an alternate hypothesis. Hypothesisis supported. Hypothesis is NOTsupported. Report resultsof theexperiment. Compare resultsfrom similarexperiments. additional experimentation based on acceptedhypothesis. Leadsto acceptedhypothesis.

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