What is Science Anyway? Revised

Science is...  Asking questions and finding answers.*  *It is a little more complicated than that but the above statement is true.

The Scientific Method  A series of steps scientists use to ask questions and find answers.  Used by all scientists world wide.  Was started by Galileo Galilee  The terms may differ a little. (Our terms come from the MSP).

Steps of the Scientific Method  Observation of the Natural World  Investigative Question  Research  Hypothesis  Experiment/ Observation  Analyze Data  Conclusion  Communicate Results

Investigative Question  Based on observations of the natural world  Should be written as a question  Should be testable  Good Example: Why do leaves of some trees change color and fall off?  Bad Example: Where does my hamster go when it dies?

Hypothesis (Prediction)  Research and observations should be done first to assure a good EDUCATED prediction instead of a random guess.  A good format:  If (this changes) then (this happens as a result) because (of this reason).  The Change is the Manipulated Variable  The Result is the Responding Variable  The hypothesis should relate to the investigative question.

Investigation  A controlled experiment, observation, model, simulation, etc. that answers the question  Sometimes observations alone are appropriate sometimes an experiment would give more valid data

Experiment  A type of investigation that has defined variables

Materials  Make a list of specific materials that will be needed for your experiment.

Experimental Control Group  The Experimental Control Group is what happens under “normal” conditions.  You use the experimental control groups to see if there are any changes.  There should be no changes made to this group.

Variables  Manipulated Variable (Independent Variable): The ONE change that you make. (the cause)  Responding Variable (Dependent Variable): What happens as a result of your change. (the effect)  Controlled Variables (constant): The variables that stay the same throughout the entire experiment.

Procedure  Number the steps of your lab (like a recipe).  Be sure you are clear and logical.  Avoid vague words (it, they, thing, etc.)  Repeat Trials for validity (trueness of the data)

Data and Observations  Record your data in an organized and neat manner.  Use tables and charts.  Make Qualitative and Quantitative observations.  Use all 5 senses when it is safe.

Analyzing Data  Look for patterns, trends, relationships, etc.  Look for the most important data.  Compare your results to your prediction.  Look for data that doesn’t fit the pattern (non sequitur).

Conclusion  Tell whether your hypothesis is right or wrong.  Answer the investigative question.  Back up your answer with data (high and low data).  Talk about what changes you would make if you were to do it again or any mistakes you made.

Observation vs. Inference  Observation  A fact  Data that you collect  Ex: Bobby is not in class today.  Inference  A logical guess based on observations  Uses words like might, maybe, possibly, could be, etc.  Ex: Maybe Bobby is sick today.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative  Qualitative Observations/Data  This is descriptive.  It has to do with the Quality of an object  Could be color, shape, smell, relative size, texture, material, etc.  Ex: Soft round orange and blue sphere about the size of an orange.  Quantitative Observations/Data  This is an amount or measurements  It has to do with the Quantity of an object  Could be mass, length, density, combustion point, the number of seeds, temperature etc.  Ex: there are 7 berries per cluster that are 1.5 cm in diameter.

Scientific Thinking  Scientific Theory:  An idea that is based on evidence that has been proven over and over again.  Ex: Theory of Evolution, Theory of Relativity  Scientific Law:  An idea that has NEVER been proven wrong and is close to scientific fact.  Ex: Law of Gravity, Newton’s Laws

Scientific Models  Physical or computer representations of a scientific phenomena that can be manipulated in order to study the phenomena (Ex: using a Slinky to represent earthquake (seismic) waves).  Model may be safer  Model may be done over and over  Model may be less expensive  Model may be smaller (solar system) or bigger (atom)

Systems  A system is made up of many parts that work together.  If you take parts out of the system the system will not work well or may not work at all.  Ex: Solar System, Body Systems, Entertainment Systems, Management Systems (Coaches, Company CEO)