Scientific Method I T S M O R E O F A G U I D E L I N E.
Controlled Experiments Controlled experiments are used to investigate one factor at a time The scientific method is used with controlled experiments in order to gain knowledge.
Question WHY?
Research What do we already know?
Hypothesis According to The Medical Dicitonary, a hypothesis is a tentative explanation that accounts for a set of facts and can be tested by further investigation. An explanation that gives a reason behind some facts but can be tested
Hypothesis vs. Theory vs. Law Hypothesis - a statement that uses a few observations - an idea based on observations without experimental evidence Theory - uses many observations and has loads of experimental evidence - can be applied to unrelated facts and new relationships - flexible enough to be modified if new data/evidence introduced Law - stands the test of time, often without change - experimentally confirmed over and over - can create true predictions for different situations - has uniformity and is universal Source: http://www.biology4kids.com/files/studies_scimethod.html
Procedure A recipe for your experiment In your procedure you can only manipulate ONE VARIABLE at a time. You should also test what happens under normal circumstances - CONTROL
Data Observations Charts Graphs Tables Numbers Pictures Words
Analysis & Conclusion What does your data mean? Was your hypothesis correct? What evidence shows the reason why your hypothesis was correct or incorrect? What mistakes did you make? What other questions do you have?
Observations and Inferences An observation is noticed by one s senses An inference is a reasonable conclusion or explanation for one s observation An inference may be a logical assumption but might not always be correct. Example: OBSERVATION: Reptiles are cold-blooded. INFERENCE: Dinosaurs were cold-blooded.
The New Scientific Method Asking Questions Developing and Using Models Planning and Carrying Out Investigations Analyzing and Interpreting Data Using Math and Computational Thinking Constructing Explanations Engaging in Argument from Evidence Obtaining, Evaluating, and Communicating Information
What does this actually look like? Published by Shawn Stasko http://thesportgeeks.com/
So let s check your data! GUIDELINES o Independent Variable to the left o Dependent Variable to the right o Make sure it has a title & column headings o Make sure units are displayed
Answer to Daily Review Temperature Time to Melt 45 F 24 min 55 F 21 min 60 F 22 min 70 F 19 min 75 F 14 min 80 F 12 min 85 F 8 min 90 F 5 min
Variables - Independent vs. Dependent Variable a factor that changes during the course of the experiment What were the variables in the Daily Review? Temperature and time Independent Variable Manipulated variable This variable is changed by you (the experimenter) What was the independent variable in the Daily Review? Temperature Dependent Variable Responding variable This variable responds to what you change What was the dependent variable in the Daily Review? Time
Let s Graph This!! Y A Y G R A P H I N G! E V E R Y O N E L O V E S G R A P H I N G!! S E R I O U S L Y. W H Y D O N T Y O U L O O K E X C I T E D?
Step 1. Graph your data table You have 5 minutes to graph your data. THIS MUST BE A LINE GRAPH. Good luck! (PS the time started when we switched to this slide get going!!)
Time (minutes) Step 2. Did your graph look like this? 30 Time required to melt ice as temperature changes 25 20 15 10 5 0 45 55 60 70 75 80 85 90 Temperature (degrees Fahrenheit)
Remember DRY MIX when graphing D R Y M I X
Remember DRY MIX when graphing Dependent Responding Y axis Manipulated Independent X axis
DRY MIX
Identify the Dependent and Independent Variables
Identify the Dependent and Independent Variables
The Scientific Method Project T I M E T O P R A C T I C E W H A T Y O U H A V E L E A R N E D