1. Scientific Method, Research, and Laboratory Reports White Plains High School Science Department

2. Why Research? Most of what we know about science is the direct result of someone else’s research. (EX: solar system) Most of what we know about science is the direct result of someone else’s research. (EX: solar system) If these scientific problems have already been addressed, we can use these past experiences for our benefit. If these scientific problems have already been addressed, we can use these past experiences for our benefit.

3. The Scientific Method Set of steps used to answer a scientific problem. Set of steps used to answer a scientific problem. There are many variations on the exact steps to the scientific method. There are many variations on the exact steps to the scientific method.

4. The Scientific Method: Steps 1. Observations: Every question starts with observations of the world around you. This applies to science, too! Every question starts with observations of the world around you. This applies to science, too! 2. Question/Problem/Purpose: What question are you trying to answer? What question are you trying to answer? What problem do you want to solve? What problem do you want to solve?

5. The Scientific Method: Steps 3. “Hypothesis”: “a proposed scientific explanation for a set of observations” (Biology, p.5) “a proposed scientific explanation for a set of observations” (Biology, p.5) You make a scientific, educated guess to answer your opening question about your observations. You make a scientific, educated guess to answer your opening question about your observations. Can be based on: Can be based on: Prior knowledge Prior knowledge Logical inferences (“logical interpretation based on prior knowledge or experience”) Logical inferences (“logical interpretation based on prior knowledge or experience”) Imaginative guesses Imaginative guesses

6. How have you been taught to write a hypothesis? How have you been taught to write a hypothesis? If _(this happens)______ If _(this happens)______ then _(this will be the result), then _(this will be the result), because _(scientific reasoning_. because _(scientific reasoning_. Null hypothesis: If (2 conditions), then there will be NO DIFFERENCE in (results). Null hypothesis: If (2 conditions), then there will be NO DIFFERENCE in (results).

7. Write a hypothesis for the question…. Write a hypothesis for the question…. 1. What will happen if you are holding your book and you let go of it? (LAW! ) 2. What is the most popular favorite pet among my friends?

8. The Scientific Method: Steps (cont.) 3. Materials/Procedures/Plan: What materials did you use to perform the experiment? What materials did you use to perform the experiment? Exactly what did you do? Exactly what did you do? Someone should be able to duplicate your results by following your step-by-step instructions recorded here. Someone should be able to duplicate your results by following your step-by-step instructions recorded here.

9. The Scientific Method: Steps (cont.) 4. Results/Data/Observations: Record your observations from your experiment. Record your observations from your experiment. Results must be accurate, valid, and reliable. RECORD IT AS IT IS!!! (not as is “should” be) Results must be accurate, valid, and reliable. RECORD IT AS IT IS!!! (not as is “should” be) Data can be analyzed easiest when it is in table, chart, and graph form. Data can be analyzed easiest when it is in table, chart, and graph form.

10. The Scientific Method: Steps (cont.) 5. Conclusion: Did you prove or disprove your hypothesis? Did you prove or disprove your hypothesis? “The data supported my hypothesis.” “The data supported my hypothesis.” “The data did not support my hypothesis, but I learned……” “The data did not support my hypothesis, but I learned……” Answer any post-lab questions. Answer any post-lab questions.

11. The Scientific Method: Steps (cont.) 6. Next Step/New Question: How could you do this differently? How could you do this differently? What new questions do you have now? What new questions do you have now? What could you do to get answers to those questions? What could you do to get answers to those questions?

12. “Yes” –OR- “Yes” –OR- “Yes, a change in temperature indicates a chemical change.” “Yes, a change in temperature indicates a chemical change.” “Density and color” –OR- “Density and color” –OR- “Density and color are size- independent properties because they don’t change when the size changes.” “Density and color are size- independent properties because they don’t change when the size changes.” All information and answers in this class should be written in complete sentences!

13. Assignments 1. 1. A. LIST an OBSERVATION that could be made using each of your senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch, smell. B. ADD at least one INFERENCE that could be made from each observation. 2. 2. Read Section 1-2 (pp.8-15). Do the “Writing in Science” assignment found in the Section Assessment on p.15.