Transcript Scientific Method Notes

Scientific Method
Student Fill in Notes
Observations vs Inferences
_________________: Something that you
experience with your 5 senses
_________________: A statement,
conclusion or reflection based on prior
knowledge or experience
Observations
- Observations must be ______________
and accurate, not relative, so that it
means the same to everyone.
Example:
•Incorrect - the burning bag smelled nasty
•Correct - the burning bag smelled similar
to rotten eggs
Inferences
Examples:
- You leave the movie theater and see
the ground is wet so you infer that it
rained.
- You are walking along the beach and
see a footprint in the sand. You infer
that someone was here before you.
Obs or Inf?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
There is a representation of a face on one side of the coin.
The coin tells us that these were deeply religious people.
The words “We Trust the Gods” are printed on the coin.
On one side of the artifact is a drawing of leaves.
We can tell that these were peace-loving people.
The face on the coin is a representation of the nation’s king.
Scenario #1
You come home to
melted ice cream in
the freezer. What
can we infer?
Scenario #2
Your observations & inferences?
Qualitative vs Quantitative
- Both Observations and inferences can be qualitative
or quantitative
- Quantitative: ________________________________
_____________________________________________
- Qualitative: __________________________________
Qualitative vs Quantitative
Qualitative observations –
- Example: Hedwig has blue
eyes
Quantitative observations
- Example: Hedwig has two
eyes
2 Qualitative Obs:
__________________
__________________
2 Quantitative Obs:
__________________
__________________
2 Inferences:
___________________
_________________
Scientific Method
•A process used to find answers to
questions about the world around
us. It uses observations, logic,
reasoning and experimentation.
•There are certain steps we follow
while using this method.
1.
_______________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
- Based on previous observations of the
problem or phenomenon
- Can be stated as a question
- Example: Does the color of light affect
plant growth?
2. COMPLETE BACKGROUND ________________.
3. _____________________________________.
•Hypothesis – An educated _______________ of
what will happen.
•A hypothesis must be ______________ and can
be proven false.
•Predicts the cause and effect
•They are often written as “_________” statements
Circle the better hypothesis.
● The color of light might
affect plant growth.
● If plants are exposed to
green lights, then these
plants will grow taller than
plants that are exposed to
natural, red, yellow or blue
light.
4. ____________________________________
______________________________________.
● Consider your methods (steps to perform the
experiment), variables & number of trials
● Materials needed
● Carry out a ________________ experimentexperiment in which an experimental group is
compared to a control group. Only one variable is
tested at a time.
L
I
G
H
T
Same species of plant/ soil / watering pattern
Measure growth after certain amount of time. Compare.
Variables
•_______________________ VARIABLE (IV) – The
variable that YOU purposefully change.
•_______________________ VARIABLE (DV) – The
variable that responds to the IV. (what you
measure)
Variables
•_________________ –Variable that is used as a
standard for comparing your results.
_________________________ GROUP - Group of
subjects that are exposed to the variable being
tested
When we discover new medicines,
they have to undergo human trials
before they can be sold to the public.
The scientists testing the medicine
will often have two groups: one group
who is given the pill and another
group who is given a placebo (usually
a sugar pill that will not affect the
results).
Which group would be considered the
control group?
_________________________________
The experimental group?
____________________________
L
I
G
H
T
Same species of plant/ soil / watering pattern
Measure growth after certain amount of time. Compare.
Plant Example Variables:
Indep. V (what we are changing):
__________________________
Dep. V (what we are measuring):
_________________________
Control (what we compare our data to):
___________________________________
Experimental Group: __________________
Identify the Variables
1. Ms. Stone wanted to see how different
types of music affected students' pulse
rates. She played different types of
music: heavy metal, rap, R&B,
alternative, pop, country, and classical
music and compared the pulse rates to
students’ normal relaxed pulse rate.
Identify the Variables
1.Identify the
•IV: _________________________
•DV:_________________________
•CONTROL:___________________
Identify the Variables
2. Nick wanted to see how high an ice cube
would float in different temperatures of water.
•IV: _________________________
•DV:_________________________
_____________________- All factors that
remain the same during the course of an
experiment to make sure our data is only
from the variable we are changing.
● Constants are the factors that do not vary
between the experimental and the control
5. ____________________
•Data – __________________________
that display the observations and
measurements from the experiment.
•Present the information in a way that
allows people to see patterns and
make connections (tables and
graphs).
Types of Graphs
Bar Graph
Line Graph
Pie Graph
Graphs
TITLE
_______________
_________
___________
___________
_______________________
6. ____________________.
Includes restatement of the hypothesis, data
and observations.
● Explain if your experiment __________
● _______________________________.
● Suggest new and better experiments.