SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Scientific Method – A logical and orderly approach to solving a problem.
There are several important steps that are included in this process:
Define the problem - Asks a specific question. It is important to narrow the scope of the problem during this step.
Gathering Information - Review facts and research related to your scientific problem (question). This provides the information necessary to make an
informed hypothesis and allows you to build on the work of other scientists.
Hypothesis – A proposed answer (or explanation) to a well-defined scientific
question.
Test the Hypothesis (experimental design) - Experiments have:
Variable – A factor that changes during an experiment.
Independent Variable - This is the factor being tested. It is the factor
that the scientist changes. It is the difference between the control
and the experimental group. There is only one of these variables
present in an experiment (other factors are constants). When graphing
it is placed on the X axis.
Dependent Variable – This is the factor that changes as a result of the
changes in the independent variable. It is the factor that is being observed
and measured during the experiment. There may be more than one of
these variables during an experiment. When graphing it is placed on the
Y axis.
Experimental Group(s) – Contain individuals that are exposed to different levels of the independent variable.
Control Group – Contains individuals that are not exposed to the independent variable. Controls are used as a standard for comparison. It illustrates the effectiveness of the variable (it helps to validates the experiment’s results).
Observe and Record Data – Observations and measurements must be taken on regular basis and written down.
Analyze Data and Draw Conclusions – Interpret your results and decide if they support your hypothesis (conclusions must always address the hypothesis).
If the hypothesis was not supported by the results, form a new one and test that.
Reporting Results – Repeat the experiment to verify the results, then share the results with other scientists.
Scientific Inquiry
- Sciences involves asking questions about nature and using observations and
experiments to find answers to these questions.
- Hypotheses allow scientists to make predictions. In order for a question to
be considered scientific, they must be testable and falsifiable (capable of
being proven false).
- Scientists use facts to find patterns in the data, explain these patterns, and
try to tie together with other scientific observations.
Controlled Experiment –
- the control group gives you something to compare the experimental groups’
results to. It can be used to determine how dramatically the variable affects
the results. (Did it make a big difference, small difference, or no difference?)
- a controlled experiment has only one independent variable (all other factors
are the same for all the groups)
- any differences in the results between the various groups is therefore due
to the manipulating of the independent variable
Science – The goal of science is to understand how nature works.
Ex. the discovery of the structure of DNA and how it stores information
Technology (“Applied Science”) - The goal of technology is to use scientific knowledge for some specific purpose. This is driven by the needs and wants of society. Ex. scientists use their understanding of DNA to get bacteria to make human insulin.
Theory – A well-tested explanation that makes sense of a large group of facts that relate to a natural phenomenon.
Ex. theory of evolution, big bang theory, theory of relativity,
theory of continental drift, cell theory
Law – A concise statement that describes (but does not explain) natural relationships
that are recurring and invariable in nature (occur the same way over and over again).
Ex. law of gravity, gas laws (Boyle’s, Charles’), laws of thermodynamics
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