SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Science Is Science is a method of gaining knowledge by studying natural events that occur in our environment by observation, experimentation and discovery of relationships between previous knowledge and current observations of events.

Technology Is Technology is the methods used to solve the practical inquires, the development of tools, procedures and techniques for implementing the finding of science.

An Experimental Science Experiments define the problems that theories must explain provides a means of checking the validity of new theories The Scientific Method –Observation, Hypothesis, Experimentation, Results, Conclusion –Theory Repeated observations about an event –Law Repeated observations about nature

Scientific method All scientific studies follow the same approach to examining a problem. The scientific method requires that we: Make observations or recognition of an event Apply logical, organized reasoning to observations made. Form a hypothesis. Reject or confirm that hypothesis through experiments. Develop an organization and explanation of the event that becomes a part of the general knowledge.

Develop a theory Do experiments Do more experiments Organize Make hypothesis Try new tests Did hypothesis work? (Results) Yes Scientific method Make observations No

Does eating nothing but junk food for a week cause you to gain weight? Experiment Experiment Measure your weight, pig-out on junk food, re-measure your weight after one week. Data. Data.Initial weight= 119 pound Final weight= 125 pounds Results ResultsWt. gain = Final wt - Initial Wt Wt. gain = 125 lbs lbs. = 6 lbs. Example

Observations and Conclusions What are Observations? What are Conclusions? What are Inferences?

What do you observe?

Now what do you observe?

What are Observations Based on your senses: observations are statements about what you see, hear, taste, smell, or feel. Observations should include one or more of the five senses. Based on practical experiences, observations do not include inferences or theorizing. Observations are an act of recognizing and noting a happening or occurrence. Observations include watching carefully especially with attention to details or behavior for the purpose of arriving at a judgment - to prove or disprove the stated hypothesis.

Models Scientists often rely on models to help them understand their observations. Chemists’ models of atoms and molecules are much larger than the real thing. Models can be mathematical or even imaginary.

Detailed Observations Guided Observation Checklist A detailed observation will include descriptive words and information about the object.

Conclusions Based on evidence collected from observations, conclusions are statements that explain why something has occurred. Conclusions explain the result, outcome, or final part of something. A conclusion is a type of inference in which you have the most confidence after considering all the observed evidence. Arriving at a necessary inference at the end of a chain of reasoning (concatenation).

Inference With inferences, we interpret or explain what we have observed happening. Arriving at a conclusion by reasoning from this interpreted evidence.