1. WHAT IS “SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH?”
WHY DO SCIENTISTS USE IT?
WHAT ARE THE STEPS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD?

2. RANGE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH COMPARATIVE DATA ANALYSIS
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
COMPARATIVE DATA ANALYSIS
EXPERIMENTAL

3. DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH
Describing nature using known physical biological or chemical properties
Often used on things we can’t work with in the lab
Ex- center of the earth
stars, galaxies
DESCRIPTIVE RESEARCH

4. COMPARATIVE DATA ANALYSIS
Linking two things together by analyzing data
Ex- Smoking linked to lung cancer

6. Steps Of The Scientific Method
State the problem (in the form of a question)
Research the subject
State a hypothesis
Design and perform an experiment
Record results and analyze
State your conclusion

7. PROBLEM STATEMENT RESEARCH THE SUBJECT 3. STATE A HYPOTHESIS
Asks a question based on an observation
RESEARCH THE SUBJECT
3. STATE A HYPOTHESIS
Answers the problem statement
If……….., then………. Statement
Use the same terms as in the Problem Statement

8. 4. EXPERIMENT DESIGN Use two groups: Experimental Group Control Group
In Experimental Group –
Independent variable – what you change
Dependent variable – what responds to the I.V.
Constants/Controlled Variables– things that remain the same
(You do not want “hidden variables”)
The Control Group - is for comparison, doesn’t contain the independent variable

9. 5. RECORD RESULTS AND ANALYZE
Quantitative Data- (the numbers)
Record data in chart, then graph
Analyze data for trends which answer problem statement/hyp.
Qualitative Observations- relevant observations listed

10. Quantitative or Qualitative?
The dog is 42 pounds.
The dog is fat.
There are three trees in the field.
The trees are tall.

11. 6. STATE YOUR CONCLUSION
Write a statement that answers the problem statement, addresses your hypothesis and mentions the data for support. A conclusion is an INFERENCE based on observations and prior knowledge.

12. Observation or inference?
The plant is green
The plant is green thus I believe it is alive.
The woman is married.
Observation or inference?

13. Observation or inference?
The woman is married.
The woman is wearing a wedding band thus I believe that she is married.
Miracle Gro makes plants grow faster.

14. Observation or inference?
The plant is green
The plant is green thus I believe it is alive.
The woman is married.
The woman is wearing a wedding band thus I believe that she is married.
Miracle Gro makes plants grow faster.
Because the plants with m.g. were taller than the plants w/o m.g., I believe Miracle Gro makes plants grow faster.