NAPA COUNTY SCIENCE FAIR. SCIENTIFIC METHOD Scientific Method.
Unit 1-Inquiry What is the Scientific Method? O The scientific method is a process for...
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Transcript of Unit 1-Inquiry What is the Scientific Method? O The scientific method is a process for...
Unit 1-Inquiry
What is the Scientific Method?
OThe scientific method is a process for experimentation that is used to explore observations and answer questions.
O In other words, it’s a way to solve a problem.
Steps in the Scientific Method
1. Observations2. Identify the Problem3. Form Hypothesis4. Experiment5. Gather and analyze data6. Draw Conclusion
Step 1: ObservationOThe act of noting or perceiving objects or events using the senses.
Look, Observe, Analyze
Step 2: Identify the problem
OObservations raise questions
What is the problem?What are you trying to
solve?
Step 3: Form a Hypothesis
Oan educated guessOA suggested solution to the problem.
OMust be testableOPredicts an outcome
OSometimes written as If…(IV goes here), Then… (DV goes here)
Variables
Variables are things that change.
Independent Variable
• manipulated variable• A factor that’s intentionally
varied by the experimenter.
Dependent Variable
o the factor that is measured.
may change as a result of the independent variable.
is the same for every group in the experiment
Scientists create and conduct experiments to test
their hypothesis.
Experimental Design
To get conclusive test results, experimenters rely
on certain practices.
Control Group the group that serves as the
standard of comparison.may be a “no treatment" or an
“experimenter selected” group. is exposed to the same
conditions as the experimental group, except for the IV.
The Control in an Experiment
What is a control?
The part of the experiment that serves as the standard of
comparison.Why is a control necessary?
It is the unchanged part of the experiment that detects the effects of
hidden variables.
Experimental Group
Group that receives experimental treatment
May be several smaller groups that each receives different amounts of the IV.
Measures the same DV as the control group.
Constants in an ExperimentWhat are constants in an experiment?
Factors that are kept the same and not allowed to change
Gather and analyze data
OData-Results of the experimentOMay be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative.
OData must be organized in order to be useful.
OCan be organized into charts, tables, or graphs
Which Graph Should I Use?
USE A BAR GRAPHTo compare data on similar things
USE A LINE GRAPHTo show changes and trends over time.
USE A CIRCLE GRAPHTo show parts of a whole.
Graph set up
Title
Title for the Independent Variable – include units and an appropriate
scale
Title for the Dependent Variable – include units and an appropriate scale
y
x
Constructing a GraphWhat is the purpose of a graph?
Graphs communicate in pictorial form the data collected in an experiment
Scientific Measurement
In science, measurement is the process of obtaining the size or amount of an object relative to a unit of measurement.
The term can also be used to refer to the result obtained after performing the process.
Can you name some units that we use?
Liquid ______________________
Mass ______________________
Length ______________________
Temperature __________________
Time ________________________
In the metric system, we will be using the following terms: Grams (Mass)Liters (Volume)Meters (Length)Seconds (Time)Degrees Celsius (Temperature).
Metric System
Metric SystemOfficial Name: International
System of Units (SI)
was devised by French scientists in the late 18th century.
goal -to produce a single unified system that could be used throughout the entire world.
Metric System
is based on a base unit that corresponds to a certain kind of measurementLength = meterVolume = literWeight (Mass) = gram
Prefixes plus base units make up the metric system Example:
Centi + meter = Centimeter Kilo + liter = Kiloliter
Metric Prefixes Kilo (k)meaning 103
hecto(h) meaning 102
deka (da) meaning 101
BASE UNIT---meters, Liters, grams
deci (d) meaning 10-1
centi (c)meaning 10-2
milli (m) meaning 10-3
micro(u) meaning 10-6
“King Henry died by drinking chocolate milk!’
Move decimal RIGHT
Move decimal Left
Draw ConclusionsOWhat did you find the answer to the question was?
OAccept or Reject your hypothesis.
OIt is OK if it turns out that your hypothesis was not correct.
Possible Experimental Errors
What factors in your materials or procedure might have had an impact on your
results?
Once a scientist completes an experiment, they often repeat it to see if they get the same findings and results.
OThis is really what we call verification, or checking things out to make sure everything was valid and will happen again and again.
Errorsmistakes made during the
experiment
Types of errorsSampling – when there are not enough
members of a population studied. The larger the population studied, the less likely for a mistake to have been made.
Human – any mistake the researcher makes during the experiment. This can include wrong measurements, not following directions, etc…
Retest
In order to verify the results,
experiments must be retested.
Scientists share their experiments and findings with others.
O Because they share their experiments and findings, scientists can learn from each other and often use someone else’s experiences to help them with what they are studying or doing.