1. An Introduction to the Inquiry Process
The Scientific Method
An Introduction to the Inquiry Process

2. process scientists use to answer questions and solve problems.
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD!!!
A step-by-step
process scientists use to answer questions and solve problems.
The steps of the Scientific Method are:

3. The Scientific Method The Scientific Method involves 5 steps:
Observation
Question
Hypothesis
Procedure
Data
Conclusion

4. Introduction to the Scientific Process
Identify a problem
Gather Information
Formulate a hypothesis
Analyze Data
Record and Organize Data
Design and Experiment
Draw Conclusions
Use conclusions to develop a new hypothesis

5. THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD 1) Research Question:
The problem or issue you want to learn more about.
2) Hypothesis:
Testable Prediction that follows from your research question that can be tested and evaluated.
3) Methods:
What will be your procedures for testing your hypothesis?
4) Data Collection:
Record observations regarding data related to the problem you are interested in.
5) Inferences/Interpretation
What can you say about your hypothesis based on your observations? Is your hypothesis supported by your observations?
6) Sharing your conclusions
Scientists write reports and give presentations to inform others about their research!

6. The Scientific Method Observation
Asking questions and making inferences
Inference: Making an assumption based on prior knowledge

8. An example of an observation:
The Scientific Method
An example of an observation:
Noticing that many salamanders near a pond have curved, not straight, tails
Inference: Salamanders usually have straight tails but these have curved. Something must be causing these tails to be curved. It could be any environmental factor.

9. The Scientific Method
Suggested solution to the problem.
Must be testable
If…Then…statement
Predicts an outcome

10. Example of a hypothesis
The Scientific Method
Example of a hypothesis
might be that the salamanders have curved tails due to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live.

11. A procedure to test the hypothesis.
The Scientific Method
Experiment
A procedure to test the hypothesis.

12. Scientific Experiments Follow Rules
An experimenter changes one factor and observes or measures what happens.

13. The Control Variable
Experimenters keep other factors constant so that they will not effect the outcome.
Those factors are called control variables.

14. What is the Purpose of a Control?
Controls are NOT being tested
Controls are used for COMPARISON

15. Other Variables
The factor that is manipulated is the independent variable.
The factor that is measured or observed is the dependent variable.

16. Example of Controls & Variables
For example, suppose you want to figure out the fastest route to walk home from school.
You will try several different routes and time how long it takes you to get home by each one.
Since you are only interested in finding a route that is fastest for you, you will do the walking yourself.

17. What are the Variables in Your Experiment?
Varying the route is the independent variable
The time it takes is the dependent variable
Keeping the same walker throughout makes the walker a control variable.

18. One more thing… it is best to make several trials with each independent variable.

19. Remember: To be a Valid Experiment:
Two groups are required:
Control Group
Experimental group
Only one variable should be tested
Variable – factor in the experiment that is being tested

21. Data The Scientific Method Recorded results of the experiment
May be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative (descriptive)
Ahhh—Look at this!

22. Data Must be organized Can be organized into charts, tables, or graphs
The Scientific Method
Data
Must be organized
Can be organized into charts, tables, or graphs

23. The Scientific Method
Conclusion
The answer to the hypothesis based on the data obtained from the experiment

24. In order to verify the results, experiments must repeatable.
The Scientific Method
Retest
In order to verify the results, experiments must repeatable.

25. Solving a Problem Communicate results ASK a question
State Observations
Form a Hypothesis (if…then…)
Design an Experiment
Collect Data
Form a Conclusion
Retest
Communicate results

26. Scientific Theories
Summarizes a hypothesis that have been supported with repeated testing.
Example: The theory of evolution
A lot of evidence to support it, but it is still just a theory