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Scientific Method

Scientific Method. Important Terms. Observations. data that are descriptions of qualities such as shape, color, taste, feel, etc… acquired by using your senses Two Types: Objective observation Subjective observation. Objective an observation based on fact

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Scientific Method

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  1. Scientific Method Important Terms

  2. Observations • data that are descriptions of qualities such as shape, color, taste, feel, etc… • acquired by using your senses • Two Types: • Objective observation • Subjective observation

  3. Objective an observation based on fact fact – a piece of information that can be strictly defined and proved true. Subjective an observation based on opinion opinion – a statement that expresses a belief, value, or feeling 2 Types of Observations

  4. Objective or Subjective? • Science looks like fun today! Subjective • Kanye West’s songs sound good! Subjective • The counter-tops in class are black! Objective • School French fries taste good! Subjective • The summer was too short! Subjective • There are sixty seconds in a minute! Objective

  5. Objective or Subjective? • Which type of observations should be used in science? Objective observations should be used in science because they are based on facts and the basis of science is to identify the facts!

  6. Inference • an explanation that tries to make sense of your observations • influenced by your experiences/prior knowledge • these explanations may not be true Example Observation: John was breathing heavily as he walked into the classroom. Possible Inferences: • He ran to class because he was going to be late • He just played basketball in gym

  7. What would you infer? • Everyone is closing their book because… • Many students buy French fries because… • Students arrived to class sweaty because… 4. All of the students are laughing because…

  8. Hypothesis • a working explanation or trial answer to a problem • an “educated guess” • can be written in the form of an “If..., then..., because...” statement Examples 1. If I make the wings of my plane larger then the plane will increase its flight time because it will enable more air to flow below the wings. 2. If I add a paper clip to the tip of my plane then the plane will fly straighter because it has a stabilizing effect.

  9. Control Group • a group of subjects in an experiment that are not given any special treatment • something that is not manipulated • same as the experimental group in every possible way, except for the factor being tested Example The original plane with no modifications

  10. Constants • Factors in an experiment (both in the experimental and control groups) that are kept the same and not allowed to change Examples 1. The size of the sheet of paper 2. The color of the paper • The weight of the paper • The person throwing the plane • The location from which the planes were thrown

  11. Variables • things that can be assigned or take on different values in an experiment • any factor that can change • Two Types 1. Independent 2. Dependent

  12. Independent variables that are purposely changed or manipulated in an experiment the factor that you wish to test usually expressed after the word “if” in the hypothesis could be thought of as the “cause” in a cause and effect relationship Example Changing the wing shape of the airplane Dependent variables that may change as a result of the independent variable the factor you measure to gather results usually expressed after the word “then” in the hypothesis could be thought of as the “effect” in a cause and effect relationship Example Increased flight time of due to change in wing shape Two Types of Variables

  13. Identify the Variables independent variable • If a student chooses to not study, then they will earn a poor grade. • If you drink Gatorade before a soccer game, then you will score more goals. • If you increase the mechanical advantage of a pulley system used to move an object, then the input force becomes less. dependent variable independent variable dependent variable independent variable dependent variable

  14. Data • factual information • Two Types 1. Quantitative 2. Qualitative

  15. Quantitative data consisting of numbers Examples Flight time Distance traveled Flight speed Qualitative data consisting of verbal descriptions or information gathered using scales without numbers Examples Description of wing shape Description of how far a plane flew 2 Types of Data

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