Transcript Types of Scientific Research

Types of Scientific Research
Descriptive
Experimental
Grades 5-8; GLE 1
http://www.science-class.net/NOS/science_skills.htm
Descriptive
• Based mostly on observations
• Examples:
– Animal behavior
– Collecting rock samples from other planets
Descriptive Research
• State the objective
– what you want to find out
• Design the investigation
– How you will conduct the investigation
• What steps?
• What materials?
• What data?
– Eliminate bias
Descriptive Research
• Analyze data
• Draw Conclusions
• Communicate results
Experimental Research
• Involves the control & manipulation of
variables
• Examples:
– Testing the effect of antibiotics on bacteria
– Comparing the strength of different brands of
paper towels
Experimental Research
• State the question
– What you want to find out
• Develop a hypothesis
– Educated guess about the relationship between the
variables
• Design the experiment
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What steps?
What data?
Controlled variables
Repeated trials
Experimental Research
• Collect & analyze data
• Draw conclusions
• Communicate results