Just What Is Science Anyway???

a journey through the scientific method...

Scienceis a process of inquiry - asking questions and

getting answers

you do science

There are many sciences: life science

poli-science

social science

etc

Observation

Before you can ask a question - you need to

make an observation…

2 kinds of Observationsdirect - done w/ the 5 senses

sight, touch, smell, aural, taste

indirect - done w/ equipment thermometer, anemometer, balance...

The Scientific MethodA very good way to do science

Easy to follow

Repeatable

Thorough

Is the way it’s really done in the field!

Can be applied to any problem.

What’s the Problem??

You need to state the question that you are going to be collecting data on. This problem is what your project will be

answering.THIS MUST BE IN THE FORM OF A

QUESTION!

The question should not be able to be answered with a yes or no.

What’s the Purpose??

You need to state the purpose of your investigation - called the Purpose Statement It needs to be clear to you (and the reader) exactly

what you are investigating. Why are you doing the project you picked.

Hypotheses These are educated guesses - “educated”

implies that the “guesses” are based on research!!! Why do the experiment if someone else already

has??!!??

Should be stated in “I think or I believe” statements

Procedure You need to list:

- the materials needed for your experiment.

- the steps that you are going to (or did) take to carry out your experiment.

It must be so detailed so that anyone who may dispute your work can reproduce exactly what you did.

Variables to vary - to change

Independent Variables (IV) - the part of the experiment that you change

Dependent Variables (DV) - the part of the experiment that changes as a result of the manipulation

more...

Control Group - the part of the experiment that is your basis for comparison

Constants - the parts of your experiment that do not change

Results - Data Presentation

Data Tables- A simple way to organize

your data. Graphs - To help your data make visual

Sense trends.

Written – Paragraph format

Remember Joe Friday “Just the Facts”

Conclusions

Three Parts...

Interpretation of DataWhat do all of these numbers mean?

Do they make sense?

Why or why not?

How do the results relate to the topic at hand?

Conclusions - Continued

Analysis of Hypotheses

did your data support your hypotheses?

Conclusions – Continued Again

Error Analysis what factors skewed your data?

how wrong is wrong?

Precision vs. Accuracy if your data is accurate it is close to true value

if your data is precise it is consistent from trial to trial

Precision vs. Accuracy• This is precise but

not accurate

Precision vs. AccuracyThis is precise and

accurate

Science Fair Project 1) Pick something that you are interested

about.

2) Know your variables and controls

3) Follow your handout make sure things are handed in on time.

4)Ask if you have a question.