 It is the process that is used to find answers to questions about the world around us.

The “tool” that scientists use to find answers to questions

 There are several versions of the scientific method  Some versions have more steps than others  They all begin with the identification of a problem or a question to be answered based on the world around us and  They provide an organized method for conducting and analyzing an experiment

1. Identify the Problem 2. Form a Hypothesis 3. Create and Perform an Experiment 4. Analyze the Data (make conclusions) 5. Communicate Results - OR- Modify the Experiment and Start Over

 What do you want to know or explain?  Do some research on the subject matter.  Write a question that addresses the problem or topic you want to investigate.

 What is a Hypothesis?  An educated guess based on observations and your knowledge of the topic.  A testable explanation for an observation.  In other words, a suggested solution to a problem or questions  Written as an “If...then…” statement ▪ Ex. IF you don’t study THEN you’ll get a bad grade on the test

 Follow the steps in your procedure to perform your experiment.  Record Data and Observations  What are observations?  Something that you see, feel, taste, or smell  Something that can be detected by your senses

 Control- Part of the experiment that is not being tested and used for comparison  Variable- Any part of an experiment that can change  Independent Variable- Part of the experiment that is manipulated (what you are testing)  Dependent Variable- Part of the experiment that is affected by the change in the independent variable (what you expect to happen)

 Validity – The procedure will accurately test the hypothesis  Large sample size  Adequate control (provides good comparison)  Only one variable is being tested  Reliability – when the experiment is redone, similar results are found (consistent)

Krusty Krab Breath Mints  Mr. Krabs created a secret ingredient for a breath mint that he thinks will cure the bad breath people get from eating crabby patties at the Krusty Krab. He asked 100 customers with a history of bad breath to try his new breath mint. He had 50 customers (Group A) eat the special ingredient breath mint after they finished eating a crabby patty. He had the other 50 customers (Group B) eat a regular breath mint after they finished eating a crabby patty. Both groups were told they were eating a breath mint that cures bad breath. Two hours after eating the crabby patties, 30 customers in Group A and 10 customers in Group B reported better breath than normal after eating a crabby patty.

5. What is the Control Group? a) Group B b) Group A c) Type of mint d) Curing Bad Breath  Hint- control groups DON’T have what is being tested

6. What is the Independent Variable? a) Group B b) Group A c) Type of mint d) Curing Bad Breath  Hint- the independent variable is WHAT YOU ARE TESTING

7. What is the Dependent Variable? a) Group B b) Group A c) Type of mint d) Curing Bad Breath  Hint- the dependent variable is what you expect to happen

8. What should Mr. Krabs conclusion be? a) No conclusion- bad experiment b) His breath mints DO NOT cure bad breath better than regular mints c) His breath mints DO cure bad breath better than regular mints d) His breath mints actually make breath WORSE! Last Slide

REVIEW… We have covered # Identify the Problem 2. Form a Hypothesis 3. Create and Perform an Experiment 4. Analyze the Data (make conclusions) 5. Communicate Results - OR- Modify the Experiment and Start Over

 Charts & Graphs – This will help to organize and make sense of the data collected.  Conclusion – decided whether the original hypothesis was correct.

 It is the information gathered during an experiment  Two main types of data  Quantitative: Numerical (the most powerful type of data) ▪ Ex. The plant grew 5 cm ▪ Always measure in METRICS  Qualitative: Descriptive ▪ Ex. The plant got bigger

 Make charts, tables or graphs  Draw pictures or take photos  It is important to only state what is truly observed.

 In our experiments, we often want to make OBSERVATIONS (not inferences)  Inferences are often made after experiments- like in the analysis or conclusion

 Observations  Any information collected with the senses.  The skill of describing scientific events.  Inferences  Conclusions or deductions based on observations  May be influenced by prior knowledge.  The process of drawing a conclusion from given evidence.

Write down… A for observation B for inference

1. There is a representation of a face on one side of the coin. 2. The words printed on both sides of the coin are Latin. 3. The Latin word "Dei" means "God." 4. The coin was made by deeply religious people. 5. The date 1722 is printed on one side of the coin. 6. The coin was made in The face on the coin is a representation of the nation's president.

OPTICAL ILLUSIONS

 Which way is the window facing?

Data Tables and Graphs

Artist Millions of CD’s Sold Beatles Elvis Presley Michael Jackson Queen 84.8 Variables Ordered Pair Units Title Best Selling Music Artists

 Title- briefly describes the content of the data table  Variables- describe what information is being collected.  Units- describe the details of the information that was collected  Ordered Pairs- two pieces of data that correspond to each other.

 Used to show the relationships in data.  There are 3 main types: 1. Pie 2. Bar 3. Line

Month JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec Rain (mm) Temp (°C )

Make sure you include: Title X Axis – Horizontal (Variables & Label) Y Axis – Vertical (Variables & Label) Key Plot points on the graph (clearly identified ) Make sure you include: Title X Axis – Horizontal (Variables & Label) Y Axis – Vertical (Variables & Label) Key Plot points on the graph (clearly identified )

 Bigger is better when it comes to graphs  Do not forget to LABEL and TITLE your graphs

 Is the data reliable?  Reliable means if another scientist does your experiment (or you do it again), will they get similar results? ▪ If so, your experiment is reliable ▪ If not, your experiment is unreliable  Does your data support your hypothesis?  Your conclusion would answer this question  This is where inferences are made.

 If your data is inaccurate or your experiment is flawed…  Rewrite your procedure to address the flaws.  If your original hypothesis is not supported by your data…  Decide how you might change your hypothesis  If you believe you need more support…  Think about what you might do to experiment further and give more support to your hypothesis

 If you believe your experiment is reliable and valid  Validity is concerned with the study's success at measuring what the researchers set out to measure.  Then you can summarize the important parts of your experiment and the results  Other scientists may then verify your results by doing your experiment themselves

 Theory - a set of hypotheses for a general phenomenon that are supported by many experiments  Theories are generally accepted principles in science  They can change based on new evidence- but it would require A LOT of new evidence  Theories covered in Biology this year: ▪ Theory of Evolution ▪ Cell Theory ▪ Theory of Genetic Inheritance