1. The Scientific Method & Observations Packet
Ms. Rozema’s Chemistry Class (Fall 2010)
The Scientific Method & Observations Packet

2. (1) What is the scientific method?
It is a method, that is used to find answers to questions about the world around us.
Only One Method? No
Some versions have more steps.
They all begin with the identification of a problem or question to be answered.
Our problem provides an experimental method

3. (1) What is a hypothesis + data?
Testable Statement based on observations
Data:
Information gathered during an experiment

4. (3) Terms to Know…
Control: An entire experimental set-up which remains “neutral”, used for comparison.
Constant: Common/Similar parts to different experimental set-ups.
Variable: Something that changes during the experiment.
Experimental / Independent Variable: The variable you set-up and test.

5. ….. More Terms to Know….
Observational / Dependent Variable: The variable that you observe (the result of your test).
“To Support”: Providing lots of detailed data to convince a reader of your conclusion.
Pattern: A general observation which occurs multiple times.
Conclusion: A statement which defends the accuracy of your hypothesis using data collected.

6. Problem / Question
Predictions & Hypothesis
Procedure
Experiment
Data Analysis
New Procedure
Conclusion

7. (6) What is an Observation?
Observations use your 5 Senses to take note:
An observation is taking note of what actually happened!
Observations are absolutely necessary during data collection!

8. (7) What is an Inference?
Inferences use your prior knowledge to make predictions/assumptions…
An inference is taking note of what you thought happened or why you think it happened!
Inferences are NEVER to be used during data collection, and only when writing your predictions/hypothesis!

9. (8) Recording Good Observations
Problem / Question
Visual Descriptions (What did you see?):
Color
Shape
Texture / Print / Pattern
Bubbles, Steam, Condensation
Size / Quantity
Auditory Descriptions (What did you hear?):
Fizzing
Popping

10. Olfactory Descriptions (What did you smell?):
Sweet, Sour
Burnt
Compare to known smells
Touch Descriptions (What did you feel?):
Cold, Hot
Soft, Smooth
Rough, Sharp
Measurements:
Mass (grams), Volume (mL)
Height / Length (cm)

11. PRACTICE! #1) What observations can you make? (List in your table!)
What inferences could you make? (List in your table!)

12. PRACTICE! #2) What observations can you make? (List in your table!)
What inferences could you make? (List in your table!)

13. PRACTICE!
#3) You are conducting an experiment to determine if increased ultraviolet radiation from the decrease in the ozone layer is killing off frog tadpoles. After examining all of the data available in the library, you decide to go with a hypothesis that increased ultraviolet radiation from the sun is killing off the tadpoles. You design an experiment with a control and an experimental group. Your control group (group 1) involves 100 tadpoles in a five gallon container of water, that is covered by glass (knowing that the glass will filter out the ultraviolet radiation). The experimental group (group 2) will be set up exactly like group 1, except that instead of being covered with glass, it is covered with an acrylic plexiglass, which will not filter out the U.V. radiation. You then place the groups outside for a period of a month, and observe the results.

14. - Dependent Variable = Ending Number of Tadpoles
Results
Group 1
Group 2
Initial Number of Tadpoles
100
Ending Number of Tadpoles 96
What is the experimental variable and what is the dependent variable? - Experimental Variable = UV Radiation present
- Dependent Variable = Ending Number of Tadpoles
Does the information from this experiment support the hypothesis? No
If no, then what might be causing the decrease in frog populations? - Changes to temperature, oxygen, food availability, mating success
Which is the control group, and which is the experimental group? - Control Group = Group 1 = Tadpoles without UV Radiation - Experimental Group = Group 2 = Tadpoles with UV Radiation
What is the difference between the 2 groups? Should they be different in any other way? UV Radiation…. No, too many variables makes it hard to conclude!

15. PRACTICE!
#4) Niko Tinbergen ( ) was a Swedish Ethologist (animal behaviorist) famous for studying animals in their native habitats. One of his classic experiments involved a bird called the black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus). Black-headed gulls build nests of twigs on the ground and lay light brown eggs that are covered with dark brown spots. However, the inside of the egg is white in color. Tinbergen noticed that adult gulls pick up the eggshells shortly after a chick has hatched, and fly them to a location far from the nest, where they are left. Since this behavior required expending energy and time that could have been spent feeding and protecting the chicks, Tinbergen wanted to know why the birds did this. Problem: Why do black-headed gulls remove eggshells from the nest? Hypothesis: The white interior of the shell is not camouflaged and attracts predators to the nest. Therefore, the gulls remove the shells to decrease predation. Test: Tinbergen and his co-workers collected gull eggs and painted 69 of them white and left 68 of them with their natural color. (Statistically, these numbers are close enough to be considered equal.) The researchers then scattered the eggs next to a gull breeding area and observed from a nearby blind. Predation rates were recorded for white versus natural colored eggs.

16. Original Number of Eggs Eggs Taken by Predators
Data
Original Number of Eggs
Eggs Taken by Predators
Eggs Not Taken
White Eggs 69 43 26
Natural Eggs 68 13 55
Do the results of this experiment support the hypothesis? Why, Why not? - Yes, the results do support his hypothesis.
Are you 100% sure (without a doubt) that your hypothesis is correct? No. There may be other factors playing in, aside from camouflaging. To make sure I would request that this test be completed many more times, in different locations Also—His starting number is not the same, and while not a huge difference, still odd.
If you were working with Tinbergen, what would you suggest be done next? - I would suggest painting the eggs different colors (white, bright yellow, bright red, etc.) to test the camouflage hypothesis I would also suggest that we re-complete the same experiment multiple times and collect data. - I would also suggest starting with the same number of eggs!
Identify the experimental and dependent variables. - Experimental Variable = Egg Color - Dependent Variable = Number of Eggs Taken by Predators