What is Science?Observing InferringPredictingTesting

Scientific Inquiry Process Scientists use many ways to study the

natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence they gather.

Pose a question? (use observations and research to find a question you want to know the answer to)

What is a good question? Avoid Why? Questions Is the question testable? Don’t ask opinions!!!!!!!

What can you measure to find the answer? Do Research on the topic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Observing Using senses to gather information

Quantitative- observations with numbers (amounts)

Qualitative- observations with descriptions

Inferring When you interpret or explain

observations you made

Predicting Forecasting what you think will happen

based on observations, experiences, and evidence

Hypothesis Form a statement that is an explanation

to the question you want to answer.

It must be testable, to see if it is true!

Ex: If food is restricted from dogs, then they become more food aggressive.

Experiment Design an experiment to test your

hypothesis.

Every experiment needs parts that are controlled and parts or a part that varies or changes. These are called variables.

Independent, Dependent, and Controlled variables

Variables Independent Variables- (manipulated) parts

of the experiment that are being tested, you are setting them up within the experiment to have a comparison.

Dependent Variables- (responding) the part of the experiment that varies depending on what happens within the experiment. The variable that is measured for results.

Variables Controlled variables or constants- things

that are not changed within the experiment on purpose.

Need to control everything except what is being tested (the independent and dependent variables).

Ex: environment and conditions

Collecting Data Observe and collect measurements

during the experiment

Organize Data into charts

Express your findings in Graphs (Circle, Bar, and Line Graphs)

Graphs Circle (Pie) Graph- Always shows parts

of a whole = 100% (Always in %)

Line Graph- Shows 2 variables usually something over a period of time

Bar Graph- Shows multiple variables or groups to compare

Pie Graph/ Circle Graph

Bar Graph

Line Graph

Draw a Conclusion Summarize what you find

Reject or Support your Hypothesis

Communicate what you find Ex: publish articles