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UNIT 1 STUDY GUIDE: The Scientific MethodThe process of Science involves the testing of a prediction. Example would be: Tanning in sunlight harms the skin. These are questions that can be investigated scientifically. Statements that cannot be investigated things such as, “does my dog feel sad when I leave?” These types of statements are difficult to collect data, and therefore are not good scientific statements.Science is….Scientific method can vary slightly from one investigation to anotherScientists obtain information called DATA in many ways. Data usually consists of numbers, but this is not always the case. Sometimes they can contain descriptions. Data with numbers are called quantitative dataData with descriptions are called qualitative dataWhat are qualities of a good hypothesis? It can be tested and proven true, but also it can be tested and proven falseHere are some examples of good hypotheses:Boys will be more responsive to the visual instructional strategiesTanning in the sunlight will cause damage to the skinThe antibiotic treatment will be effective against the infection. Here are some examples of a not very good hypothesis:Why is the sky blue?Which method will be most effective?Will chickens get fat eating donuts?What is the difference between a hypothesis and a problem?A problem asks a question, such as “Will the temperature of water affect the size of the gummy bears?”A hypothesis is a statement that answers the problem, such as “The ambient water temperature will cause an increase in size of the gummy bears”Experiments: Most experiments are CONTROLLED. These types of experiments have at least two groups, one which receives the experimental treatment (called the TEST group) and one which does not. (Called the CONTROL GROUP)ONLY 1 thing should be tested at a time!Most often the results of an experiment lead to more questions that will be tested again in the future.What happens if you determine your hypothesis was wrong? Finish your project and show the data that proved your hypothesis was wrong! Scientists are not perfect and wrong often! You just ruled out a possibility, so move on and continue with another experiment!You can improve your experiment by adding more samples and trials to your experiment. This gives you better data to use for your analysis.What is the purpose of the control group? The control group allows you to know if a particular result is due to the variable being tested. It will ensure that the results obtained are due to a difference in one variable only. It gives you something to compare the experiment to. The Control group is matched to the experimental group except for the one experimental variableExample: Feeding chickens donuts will make them fat. The experimental group would be the group of chickens eating donuts, and the control group would be the group of chickens not eating donutsIn an experiment, there are independent and dependent variables.The dependent variable changes in response to the change the scientists make to the independent variable. The variable you measure, the "then . . .” part of the hypothesis (that may or may not change) The independent variable the variable you deliberately change, the "If . . ." part of the hypothesis (what you change) Example: An experiment is conducted to determine how light affects a type of plant. The first plant is placed in full sunlight, the second plant is placed in shade and the third plant is placed in a dark closet. The independent variable: the amount of sunlight. It is the variable that we deliberately change to see the response to the plantThe dependent variables could be things such as plant growth, plant life expectancy, or anything that will change when you change the amount of sunlight the plant receives. UNIT Scientific Method vocabulary wordsProblemThe first step in the scientific method that is identified. Prediction A guess based on observation, experience, or reason ObservationThe action or process of examining something carefully in order to gain informationInferTo make a conclusion based on reasoning or observationsHypothesis A possible explanation for a scientific question, an educated guess Experiment A series of carefully planned steps that test the hypothesis Materials A list of the equipment or items you will need Procedure A step-by-step set of directions Constants Items (factors) kept the same throughout the experiment Variables Factors in an experiment those are likely to change (factors that change) Independent variable The variable you deliberately change, the "If . . ." part of the hypothesis (what you change) Dependent variable The variable you measure, the "then . . .” part of the hypothesis (that may or may not change) JournalTo record observations and other information related to the experimentData The facts, figures, and evidence gained (gathered) from an experiment (observation) AnalyzeTo examine carefully and in detail to identifyRecordTo write down in permanent form for later referenceConclusion A description telling what was learned, if the hypothesis was correct, what could have been done differently, and ideas for further exploration (based on data collected) Results The facts, figures, and evidence gained from an experiment Scientific method The process or series of steps a scientist uses to find an answer to a question Theory An explanation or model based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning (well-tested explanation for scientific happenings) Scientific law A statement that describes what will happen every time under particular conditions Fact A statement that can be shown to be true by observation or by experiment (is true and can be proven) OpinionA statement that expresses an attitude, a belief, or a point of view Controlled Experiment An experiment where only one variable changes ................
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