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THE NATURE OF SCIENCE AND SCIENTIFIC METHODS

THE NATURE OF SCIENCE AND SCIENTIFIC METHODS. What is Science? How is Science Done?. SCIENCE IS:. http://pirun.ku.ac.th/~fscinpc /. a way of understanding the natural world based on our senses and instruments to enhance our senses exploration. CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENCE.

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THE NATURE OF SCIENCE AND SCIENTIFIC METHODS

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  1. THE NATURE OF SCIENCEAND SCIENTIFIC METHODS What is Science? How is Science Done?

  2. SCIENCE IS: http://pirun.ku.ac.th/~fscinpc/ • a way of understanding the natural world • based on our senses and instruments to enhance our senses • exploration

  3. CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENCE http://www.mathiaspedersen.com/3dportfolio/highres/poor_pluto_1600x900.jpg • tentative: subject to change • empirical: measurable in terms of real data • logical: organized and explanative • objective: based on supportive evidence • social: communicated among scientific community • creative: imaginative, fun, and useful (TECHNOLOGYis the practical application of science)

  4. SCIENCE ASKS: • What’s there? • How does it work? • How did it come to be this way? http://pirun.ku.ac.th/~fscinpc/

  5. SCIENCE IS DONE • by EVERYONE, EVERYDAY • to develop new knowledge • using the SCIENTIFIC METHODas a way to collect data (general process) to answer a question

  6. SCIENTIFIC METHOD http://www.thwink.org/sustain/deadlock/WhyUnableToSolveProblem.htm • Many expressions of the scientific method!!! • ALL start with OBSERVATION information gatheredfrom the senses • After observation, steps do not have to be done “in order” • ALL “end” with sharing information& starting over

  7. OBSERVATION formal lab report informal lab report this information becomes the Introduction this information is condensed into the purpose • Why is it that way? • What do other people know about this? • How can I find out more?

  8. INFERENCE?HYPOTHESIS? OR PREDICTION? an explanation based on evidence and reasoning an explanation based on evidence and reasoning a guess at what will happen based on prior experience INFERENCE a testable explanation that guides an experiment PREDICTION HYPOTHESIS

  9. An Example http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/corn/production/management/cropping/cornfollowcorn.html OBSERVATION Some plants are taller than others Reading says soybeans act as fertilizer HYPOTHESIS Corn with fertilizer will grow taller than corn without fertilizer EXPERIMENT Test hypothesis under controlled conditions

  10. DESIGN AN EXPERIMENT CONTROL GROUP receives “normal” treatment EXPERIMENTAL GROUP receives independent variable A controlled experiment is a comparison of two or more groups with one differencebetween the groups • Corn will receive: • sunlight • water • soil • Corn will receive: • sunlight • water • soil • fertilizer SAMPLE GROUP: Smaller group representative of population(example – political polls)

  11. VARIBLES: Factors that can change sunlight, water, soil • CONSTANT VARIABLE: factors that stay the same fertilizer • INDEPENDENT VARIABLE:the difference between the groups; the factor manipulated (changed) by the experimenter • DEPENDENT VARIABLE:the measured result of the experiment; the factor that responds to the change plant height

  12. Experiment & Collect Data DATA / EVIDENCE: “raw” or unprocessed measurements from the experiment • QUALITATIVE: (subjective): descriptive data, uses words, pictures • QUANTITATIVE: (objective): numerical data,from instruments Height of corn with fertilizer was taller than control group Height of corn with fertilizer averaged 2 cm taller than control group

  13. RESULTS & ANALYSIS • What does your data mean? • RESULTS: evidence from experiment; organization of data • Tables, graphs, visual representation of data

  14. CONCLUSIONS (TELL) • Make a CONCLUSION(explanation based on data) • Does the data support or refute the hypothesis? • Were there any ERRORS(sources of mistakes)? • Was there a way to improve the experiment?

  15. WHAT NOW???? After several experiments have been done, Scientists SHARE their findings and/or develop… • MODEL: graphical explanation or representation • THEORY: a well-tested hypothesis that is has not been proven wrong; generally accepted to be “correct,” unless disproven • LAW: a predictable relationship that is accepted as fact; often expressed as a formula (F=ma) • PRINCIPLE: a concept from which other ideas are derived

  16. OVERVIEW OF S.M. http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method.shtm • Tests explanations • Refines ideas • Tests them again • Shares what happened

  17. References http://www.a2zteachersoutlet.com/images/cwg3503.gif Various ideas/pictures from Integrated Science Team at Palisades Charter High School

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