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4. Scientific Method.ppt

The document outlines the scientific method as a logical process for solving problems through experimentation and observation. It details the steps involved, including identifying a problem, conducting research, forming a hypothesis, testing it, and reporting results. Additionally, it explains the importance of objective observations, data types, variables, and the necessity of reporting findings to contribute to the scientific community.

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6 views

4. Scientific Method.ppt

The document outlines the scientific method as a logical process for solving problems through experimentation and observation. It details the steps involved, including identifying a problem, conducting research, forming a hypothesis, testing it, and reporting results. Additionally, it explains the importance of objective observations, data types, variables, and the necessity of reporting findings to contribute to the scientific community.

Uploaded by

xiobrix17
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Scientific Method

Scientific Method

• The process of objectively establishing


facts through testing and experimentation.
• A logical, problem solving technique
Scientific Method

• Everyone uses it everyday.

Yes Even You!!!!!!!!!!


It is a way to solve problems. Do you
have any problems to solve?

• Any big or any small ones?


Any of these sound familiar?

• Where are My Shoes?


• What should I have for lunch?
• What class do I have next?
• Did I do my homework for that class?
• What is the cure for cancer?
• Which deodorant works the longest?
Steps to Solving a Problem
(The Scientific Method)
1. Identify the Problem
• State the problem to be solved or the question to be answered.
2. Collect Information/Research
• Obtain facts and ideas from books, journals, internet, etc. that provide insight
regarding your problem/question. Cite these resources.
3. Form a Hypothesis
• Based on the information/research you collect, propose a solution or “best
guess” that will help guide your experimentation and attempt to answer the
proposed problem/question.
4. Test Your Hypothesis – “Experiment”
• Describe, design, and conduct an experiment that will give you information or
data that supports (or not) your hypothesis.
5. Accept or Reject Your Hypothesis – “Analysis”
• Determine whether your data/results from the experiment supports (or not)
your hypothesis; if not, it may be necessary to review your
information/research and revise your hypothesis.
6. Report Your Results – “Conclusion”
• Formulate a conclusion that answers the original question from step one and
share the results with the scientific community (or the community at large).
Observations

• data that are descriptions of qualities


such as shape, color, taste, feel, etc…
• acquired by using your senses
• Two Types:
1. Objective observation
2. Subjective observation
2 Types of Observations

Objective Subjective

• an observation • an observation based on


based on fact opinion

fact – a piece of opinion – a statement that


information that can be expresses a belief, value, or
strictly defined and feeling
proved true.
Objective or Subjective?
• Science looks like fun today!
Subjective
• Kanye West’s songs sound good!
Subjective
• The counter-tops in class are black!
Objective
• School French fries taste good!
Subjective
• The summer was too short!
Subjective
• There are sixty seconds in a minute!
Objective
Objective or Subjective?

• Which type of observations should be used in


science?

Objective observations should


be used in science because
they are based on facts and
the basis of science is to
identify the facts!
Inference

• an explanation that tries to make sense of your


observations
• influenced by your experiences/prior knowledge
• these explanations may not be true

Example
Observation:
John was breathing heavily as he walked into the classroom.

Possible Inferences:
1. He ran to class because he was going to be late
2. He just played basketball in gym
What would you infer?

1. Everyone is closing their book because…

2. Many students buy French fries because…

3. Students arrived to class sweaty


because…

4. All of the students are laughing because…


What question could these
children be investigating?
Hypothesis

• a working explanation or trial answer to a problem


• an “educated guess”
• can be written in the form of an “If..., then..., because...”
statement
• is not necessarily proven correct just because data/results
from one experiment supports it
Example:

• : IF I water three plants with different sodas,


THEN the plant that receives Sprite will grow the
tallest.
What are these two finely
dressed children investigating?

What is their HYPOTHESIS?


Data

• factual information
• Two Types
1. Quantitative
2. Qualitative
2 Types of Data

Quantitative Qualitative
• data consisting of • data consisting of
verbal descriptions
numbers or information
gathered using
scales without
Example numbers
Examples
Heart rate (80 beats/minute) Verbal description of heart rate
(fast or slow)
Repeated Trials
• experimental tests done more than once
• necessary to provide more accurate results; data is
averaged together
• lessens the impact of a chance error on the
experimental results

Examples

In the heart rates lab each participant recorded their heart rates
after performing various activities. Each participant’s data
(for resting, walking, and running) represents a trial. If five
total individuals performed the activities and gathered data,
then there were a total of five trials.
Variables

• things that can be assigned or take on


different values in an experiment
• any factor that can change
• Two Types
1. Independent
2. Dependent
Two Types of Variables
Independent Dependent
• variables that are purposely
changed or manipulated in an • variables that may change as a
experiment result of the independent variable
• the factor that you wish to • the factor you measure to gather
test results
• usually expressed after the • usually expressed after the word
word “if” in the hypothesis “then” in the hypothesis

• could be thought of as the • could be thought of as the “effect”


in a cause and effect relationship
“cause” in a cause and effect
relationship Example
Example Growth of plants. Size of leaves
Fertilizers in plants
Constants

• Factors in an experiment (both in the


experimental and control groups) that are
kept the same and not allowed to change
Let’s practice!

• If I put 3 spider plants in different locations, then the


plant in the sunlight will grow taller in a one-week
period than the plants in the closet and basement.
IV: location of the plants
DV: height of plants
Let’s practice!

You are conducting a fitness challenge to see


how different situations of exercise impact
participants' heart rates. Participants engage in
exercises for different durations (10, minutes,
20 minutes, 30 minutes)
Conclusion

• Conclusion: your results or findings based on data


collected during the experiment
• Answer your problem/purpose statement
• What does it all add up to? What is the value of your
project?
• What further study do you recommend given the results of
your experiment? What would be the next question to ask?
• If you repeat this project, what would you change?
Report your findings

• One of the most important parts of the scientific


method is to report to others your findings.
• You will help others learn.

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