John Bowne High School



Principal John Bowne High School Mr. J. Zelkind, AP Science Dept.

Learning Target: I can analyze the steps of the scientific method to state an inference, observation, and theory.

Mission Statement

Annotation: (read with comprehension, underline key ideas, circle unknown vocabulary words, and write down high order questions to clarify your understanding of the concept).

Science relies on logic and creativity. Science is both a body of knowledge and a way of knowing- intellectual

and social process that applies human intelligence to explaining how the world works. Scientific explanations are

developed using both observations (evidence) and what people already know about the world (scientific knowledge).

All scientific explanations are tentative and subject to change. Good science involves questioning, observing

and inferring, experimenting, finding evidence, collecting and organizing data, drawing valid conclusions, and

undergoing peer review. Understanding the scientific view of the natural world is an essential part of personal,

societal, and ethical decision making. Scientific literacy involves internalizing the scientific critical attitude so that it

can be applied in everyday life, particularly in relation to health, commercial, and technological claims.

Without knowing it, you solve problems very much like a scientist does. You use scientific method. Scientific method is a guide used to solve problems. It involves asking questions, making observations, and trying things out in an orderly way. Scientists use certain steps to solve problems by using the scientific method.

1-Inference- is a statement or judgment base on past experience. An inference is an idea or conclusion that's drawn from evidence and reasoning. An inference is an educated guess. We learn about some things by experiencing them first-hand, but we gain other knowledge by inference — the process of inferring things based on what is already known. 

Inference is using observation and background to reach a logical conclusion. You probably practice inference every day. For example, if you see someone eating a new food and he or she makes a face, then you infer he does not like it. Or if someone slams a door, you can infer that she is upset about something.

Example: There are dark clouds in the sky today. There is a chance for rain.

2- A scientific theory- is a generally accepted explanation for a large amount of data and observations. A scientific theory is a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment. In science, a theory is a well-substantiated explanation or a set of statements that have been confirmed over the course of many independent experiments.

3- Make careful observations- Note everything your senses can gather. Record the data, which are recorded in an organized manner. These observations may include measurements made with the senses and with instruments. Observations are represented and organized by diagrams, tables, charts, and graphs. From these observations a conclusion about the problem is reached or the interpretation of the data can lead to the development of additional hypothesis.

Scientific explanations are accepted when they are consistent with experimental and observational evidence and when they lead to accurate predictions.

Scientists often use controlled experiments when doing research. In a controlled experiment, there are two types of experimental setups: 1-The “test experimental setup”, and 2- “control experimental setup”. The “test experimental setup” and “control experimental setups” are identical except for a single factor, which is the “independent variable or test factor” that is being tested. Only one “independent variable or test factor” can be used during the controlled experiment. An experiment is an investigation done in a controlled setting that tests the hypothesis to see if it is correct or incorrect.

The “test experimental setup” use the “independent variable” to see if it works. The “control experimental setup” never use the “independent variable”. The “control experimental setup” is used to compare to the “test experimental setup” to show if the “independent variable” actually works. Control variables are parts of the controlled experiment that are kept the same in the “test experimental setup” and “control experimental setup”, because only one test variable is being tested in an experiment.

In order to plan a controlled experiment there are steps and parts that must be used in the scientific method to conduct an experiment to solve a problem. They are:

1-The independent variable is also known as the “cause” or “test factor” that can change the result of the experiment. Thus, independent variable = cause = test factor. There is only one type of “independent variable” being used in controlled experiment at any given time.

2-The dependent variable is the thing or variable that is being effected by the test factor or independent variable. The dependent variable can be measured by using measurement units. Example: Distance (meter), weighs (grams), volume (liters), and temperature (Celsius). Example: the height of the plant.

3-The problem question and title: The problem question and the title are two different ways of phasing the “same idea”. Example: If the problem question is “How does fertilizer effect plants?” the title will be “The effects of fertilizer on plants.” The problem question should pertain or relate to the issue.

Example: How does applying heat cause water to react?

4-Hypothesis is a statement or educated guess that tries to provide an answer to the problem. Thus, a suggested answer to the problem. The hypothesis is never stated as a question. The hypothesis must contain the two parts, which are the “independent variable” and “dependent variable” to have a possible answer to the problem question.  In science, an unproved idea or a mere theoretical speculation is regarded as a hypothesis rather than a scientific theory. 

Example:

• If I use the independent variable, then this will happen (Describe what will happen)

to the dependent variable.

• I believe that the independent variable will do this to (Describe what it will do) the dependent variable.

• I determine that the independent variable will cause this to happen to (Describe what will happen) the dependent variable.

Example: If I apply heat to the water, then the water will boil and evaporate.

In essence the hypothesis is making a prediction of how the independent variable will change the dependent variable.

5-Testing the hypothesis or designing a controlled experiment has various parts or components, which are:

A-The control variable(s) are the parts that are kept the same in the “control experimental set-up” and “test experimental set-up” of a controlled experiment. Thus, the only thing that is being tested is the one type of the “independent variable” and all other variables are kept the same in a controlled experiment.

B-Control experimental setup or group is used to compare with the “test experimental setup or group”. The “control experimental setup or group” does not use the “independent variable”, but does use the “control variables” and “dependent variable”.

C-Test experimental setup or group is using only one type of “independent variable” in the control experiment to see if it has an effect that can be measured by the “dependent variable”. It also uses the “control variables” too.

6-Sample size: Each time a “test experimental setup or group” is carried out, it is called a trial. More than one trial should be performed in an experiment. The average of many trials gives a more accurate result than just one or two trials.

7-Data collected is the recorded units of measurement in the experiment. Example: height in millimeters.

8- Gather information- Research the subject and ask questions. Discover what is already known about the problem.

9-Conclusion states whether or not the “independent variable” had a significant effect on the “dependent variable”. Or if the “independent variable” work on the “dependent variable. The results that support or contradict your hypothesis.”

10. Repeat the experiment- The experiment can be repeated many times by other scientist in order to test the hypothesis

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