Transcript Introduction to Scientific Method

Do Now 8/19

This car won’t start:
 What
are some possible reasons? (give at least 2)
 How could you test these guesses?
SCIENTIFIC METHODS
2014
“Great science meets at the boundary where
exact observation confronts leaping
imagination”
Science …
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Is a process of discovery about our natural world.
Is quantitative.
Is collaborative.
Involves observation and/or experimentation.
A logical, organized mechanism for identifying and
researching a problem and developing a strategy
for solving it.
Steps of the Scientific Method
Observing and asking questions
DEFINE THE PROBLEM
Background/Research
Determine Variables
Hypothesizing
Experimenting (Procedure)
Analyzing Data
Drawing Conclusions (Discussion)
Scientific Method Steps from Video
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Take notes from Video at 5:00 minute mark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKGtkzgKfkc
Observing and Asking Questions
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Scientists often begin the road of scientific exploration
through observing.
Then, scientists pose a question or questions based
on their observations.
 Example:
butterfly?
Why is the amphipod capturing the sea
Observing and Asking Questions
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Scientists often begin the road of scientific exploration
through observing.
Observation vs Inference
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What is the difference?
How to make good observations before and during
an experiment: TAKE NOTES while conducting an
experiment!
Observation vs Inference

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What is the difference?
How to make good observations before and during
an experiment: TAKE NOTES while conducting an
experiment!
Blind men and Elephant poem.
Background and Variables
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You need to collect what you already know and see
what other information is needed before you can
begin to set up an experiment.
Variables
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The process of testing a hypothesis by gathering data
under controlled conditions.
 The
control group is compared with the experimental
group.
 These groups are identical except for one factor: the
independent variable.
 The dependent variable, or result, is driven by the
independent variable
 Example:
Sea butterfly biscuits…
Identify the groups and variables…
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Mr. Collins enjoys listening to disco music in his
classroom. He has noticed that his plants are
dying, and suspects that the disco music is to
blame. He designs an experiment where one
group of plants is kept in a room with 24 hours
of disco music. The other group is kept in a
silent room. All factors (light, water, soil, etc…),
remain the same for both groups.
Independent variable:
Dependent variable:
Control Variable
Control Group
Hypothesizing
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Once scientists have observed and asked questions,
will pose a hypothesis: a statement that explains their
observations and can be tested. (usually an if-then
statment)
 Example:
Amphipods capture sea butterflies for
protection from predators.
Procedure
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You’ve done your research and are now ready to
setup and start experimenting.
The procedure needs to be very detailed. You
should be able to give the instructions to a 3rd
grader for them to perform.
Analyzing Data
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The process of determining whether data support the
hypothesis.
Analysis often involves the use of graph, charts, and
statistics.
Eaten by fish
Butterfly biscuit
Non-butterfly biscuit
Spit out by fish
Graphing Instructions
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Include:
A clear graph title that anyone can understand.
 Labels on the x and y axes.
 Numerical scale on each axis (if necessary).
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Graphing Instructions
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Include:
A clear graph title that anyone can understand.
 Labels on the x and y axes.
 Numerical scale on each axis (if necessary).

Graphing Hints
ALWAYS:
 Title your graph.
 Label the x- and y-axes.
 Include a numerical scale.
 Use pencil.
 Use color only to enhance or emphasize the data.
 Be neat.
Drawing Conclusions
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Finally, scientists produce an explanation
supported by data.
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This explanation may support or refute the
hypothesis.
After many related hypotheses have
been tested and supported, a theory
may be formed.
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A theory is a broad and comprehensive
statement of what is thought to be true.

Examples: The Theory of Evolution
Science in Real-life
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In real-life situations, scientists do not follow one single
method of asking questions.
They combine the processes of the scientific method in a
way that is best suited to answer their questions.
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A biologist in the field works much differently than one in
the lab.
Communication
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Scientists do not work alone.
They share results by publishing
findings in journals or presenting them
at scientific meetings.
Communication allows scientists to
build on the work of others.
 Example:
Biologists specializing in
amphipod and sea butterfly
interactions.