Scientific method notes

Science= Latin for “to know”

Biology= Science of Life

Inquiry= People asking questions

Observation= The use of the senses to gather and record information

Inference: Logical Conclusion based on an observation

Generalization: When many specific observations are put together to reach a general conclusion.

Theory: A well tested explanation that makes sense of many varied scientific observations. Theory of Natural selection

Introduction (observe something you want to know about)

Question (a question that can be answered by and investigation)

Hypothesis (a prediction that is educated and can be tested)

Materials Procedure Data (Data table, Graph) Conclusion

Hypothesis: An educated guess that can be tested by an investigation

Written in If…..,then…..,because……

On the next slide let’s practice writing hypotheses.

Remember If(manipulated variable), then (responding

variable), because (scientific explanation)

What affect does studying with music have on a student’s test scores? How do I make this a hypothesis?

Identify the variable Change the format Make a prediction

What affect does studying with music have on student test scores?

What is being changed and measured? The red words tell us what is being

changed Studying with or without music

The yellow words tell us what is being measured. Student test scores Using this information, write a hypothesis

What affect does studying with music have on student test scores?

Here is an example: If a student studies with music, then they will

have higher test scores, because they aren’t being distracted while they study.

1. What affect does the color of food have on the amount of food fish eat?

2. What affect does smiling have on a teacher giving no homework?

3. How does serving mystery meat for lunch change the length of the lunch line?

1. What affect does the color of food have on the amount of food fish eat?

2. What affect does smiling have on a teacher giving no homework?

3. How does serving mystery meat for lunch change the length of the lunch line?

Using these hints of variables please write your own hypotheses in if….,then….,because…. format

Quantitative data: Measurements or observations recorded numerically Ex:

5 pounds 8 feet

Qualitative data: measurements or observations recorded as descriptions Ex:

Mom is blond haired The building is square

Identify each in you notes as quantitative(QA) or qualitative (QL)

1. The ball was red, bouncy, and smooth2. The ball bounced 5 mm high3. The boy skateboarded the course in 20

seconds4. The girl ran the race in 15 seconds5. The frog was not moving, cold to the touch,

and dry6. The experiment made 1 pound of goo each

minute and it was green and squishy.

1. Qualitative (QL)2. Quantitative (QA)3. Quantitative (QA)4. Quantitative (QA)5. Qualitative (QL)6. Both (QA and QL)

Use the information below to write a testable question for an experiment

1). MV: Change In LightRV: Growth of grass seedHypothesis: If the light level of a grass seed is changed from normal, then it will grow less, because it will be outside of it’s normal environment.CV: Seed type, Soil, TemperatureMeasurement: Measure seed growth in cm or mm.

Use the information below to write a testable question for an experiment

2). MV: Use of boric acidRV: Movement of ant across the paperHypothesis: If Boric acid is placed on a piece of paper, then an ant will not cross the paper, because they will not want to step on the acid. CV: paper type, Ant type, Light levelMeasurement: Whether an ant crosses the paper or not, yes or no.

Use the information below to decide what measurements should be used in this experiment

3). MV: Change in TemperatureRV: Growth of radish seedsHypothesis: If the temperature of a radish seed is changed then it will grow less because it was placed in an unfamiliar environment

Measurement:__________________________

Use the variable to write a questions and hypothesis.

4). MV: Use of vitaminsRV: Kitten GrowthHypothesis____________________________. Question:______________________________.

Questions 1-4 will be talked about in class on Tuesday 02/17/11

Make sure to have completed these questions in your notes

If chocolate is given to teachers, then amount of homework will decrease, because the teacher is happy!

If trees have leaves, then bird nests will increase because the leaves protect them from view

If plants are watered, then growth height will increase because plants use water to make food.

If chocolate is given to teachers, then amount of homework will decrease, because the teacher is happy!

If trees have leaves, then bird nests will increase because the leaves protect them from view

If plants are watered, then growth height will increase because plants use water to make food.

MV RV