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2 - The scientific Method

This document outlines the steps of the scientific method, emphasizing the importance of making observations, formulating hypotheses, and minimizing bias in experiments. It explains the types of variables involved in experiments and distinguishes between qualitative and quantitative observations. Additionally, it provides a structure for writing lab reports to communicate findings effectively.

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ms.pmehta
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4 views

2 - The scientific Method

This document outlines the steps of the scientific method, emphasizing the importance of making observations, formulating hypotheses, and minimizing bias in experiments. It explains the types of variables involved in experiments and distinguishes between qualitative and quantitative observations. Additionally, it provides a structure for writing lab reports to communicate findings effectively.

Uploaded by

ms.pmehta
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LESSON 2

SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND


OBSERVATIONS
Learning Goals
 I can explain the steps in scientific
investigations. (A1)
 I can make appropriate
observations (A1.6)
Scientific Method
 The Scientific Method isordered
an __________
way to learn about something. It can
be used to study anything from a leaf
to a dog to the entire Universe. The
method involves 4 areas
Initiating and planning of skills:
i) Performing and recording
ii) Analyzing and interpreting
iii)Communicating
iv)
Initiating and
planning

Performing and
recording

Analyzing and
interpreting

Communicating
Scientific Method
 One of the main advantage of using scientific
method is to _______________
minimize bias in answering a
question

 The scientific method is used to test questions


we have about science. It involves asking
questions, doing experiments, making
observations, and reporting what you find out.

 In this lesson, we will focus on a few selected


tasks in the four areas of skills.
Hypothesis: What do I think will happen?

 Use what you already know to make guess


a
(prediction) _____________ about what will
_____________
happen.
 Your guess does not have to be “right”!
 Always
If write your hypothesis like this:
then
 __ (changes in independent variable), _____
(predicted changes in dependent variable)
 e.g. If the plant gets more water,
More then
water it will
grow taller.
Higher plant
 Changes in independent variable:
height
 Predicted changes in dependent variable:
Hypothesis Practice!
Question 1:
What effect does light have on plant growth?

Possible Hypothesis:
If a plant gets more light, then it will grow taller.
Hypothesis Practice!
Question 2:
What effect does studying with music have
on test scores?

Possible Hypothesis:
If you study with music, then your test scores will
increase.
Hypothesis Practice!
Question 3:
What effect does exercise have on your
health?

Possible Hypothesis:
If you exercise, then your health will improve
Types of Variables
There are three (3) types of variables in an
experiment:
 Independent
intend to changevariable: the thing that
you _____________________ in an experiment
 may
Dependent variable: the thing that
change
______ __________when you change the
independent variable
does not
 Control
change variable: the things
________________ __________ during the experiment
A control is what we are comparing the experiment to;
our “normal” “original” item.
Observations
 facts
Based on ________
 Can berepeated
___________
recorded
 Must be ____________
 Can beshared
_________
detailed
 Must be ___________
 (e.g. “The air temperature is 6C”)
How are scientific observations
recorded?

 Usewords
_______,numbers
__________ and/or _________
pictures
to describe what happened in your
experiment. I.e.:
 Describe it
 Draw it
 Graph it
 Map it
 Photograph it
 Videotape it
 Audiotape it
Improper Observations –
DO NOT WRITE THESE in lab reports

 “Thingy”
 “Looks like water”
 “Smells like marker”
 (Make things up when there is no change
in result)
Qualitative scientific
observations

You can describe qualities/characteristics


with your senses such as seeing, hearing,
touching, and smelling, but NOT tasting!

Example: What colour are the plants?

These observations are called qualitative observations


because you are describing qualities (characteristics).
Short Green Yellow Tall Short Very Tall
Green Leaves Leaves Yellow Yellow Green
Leaves Leaves Leaves Leaves
Quantitative Observations:

measuring
You can describe with numbers by
_____________
or counting _______________

Example: How high did the plants grow?

These observations are called quantitative


observations because you can measure these quantities
(amounts) of change
Quantitative Observations
chart or a ______ is
A ______
graph
a good way to organize
the quantitative
information. It makes it
easier for others to
understand.
Qualitative OR
Quantitative ?
1. The bowling ball weighs 8 lbs. Quantitative

2. The cat’s fur is soft. Qualitative

3. Matthew’s jacket is blue and red. Qualitative

4. The jelly beans are sweet. Qualitative

5. There are six buttons on her shirt. Quantitative

6. Her towel is wet. Qualitative

7. Tom’s desk is 2 ½ feet wide. Quantitative


Qualitative
8. The skin on the rhino is rough.
Observations OR Inferences
Observing OR Inferring ?

 Inferences are your explanations or


conclusions from your observations.
 Inferences are based on your
reasoning, knowledge and
experience.
Observations vs. Inferences
 Observations:
The person is
looking at a
thermometer.
They are not
 Inferences:

smiling.
The person may be sick.
 They may have a fever.
Observations vs. Inferences
 Observation:
The school fire alarm is
ringing

 Inferences:
 There is a fire in the school
 There is a fire drill
Observations vs. Inferences
 Observations:
 The person is holding a water
hose.
 They are watering a plant.

 Inferences:
 It is a hot day.
 The plant needs more water.
Now try again
Practice making and recording scientific
observations!

Activity:
In groups of 2 to 3, observe Mr. Patel and make
as many observations and inferences as you
can…please be nice 
Communication
 After scientists do an experiment, they lab
write a ___ ______ to tell other people
report
what they learned.
 Generally, the lab report uses the

following format:
Scientific Method
PROBLEM / PURPOSE:
What do I want to find out?

HYPOTHESIS:
What do I think will happen?

MATERIALS:
What do I need to test my hypothesis?

PROCEDURE:
How can I test what I think will happen?

OBSERVATIONS:
What happened?

DISCUSSION:
How to explain what happened?

CONCLUSION:
What did I find out? How does that compare to my prediction?

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