Nature of Science

1. Nature of Science More science fair fun!

2. Writing Background Research Questions • You should have at least 1 background question for each of the following 4 categories: • Entity • Specific types that are easily studied • Its structure & function • Handling/care/safety/ethics within a controlled environment • Independent Variable • Dependent Variable • Connections between the Entity and the IV and DV

3. Writing Background Research Questions • You should have at least 1 background question for each of the following 4 categories: • Entity • Independent Variable • Its structure and function • How it can safely and ethically be manipulated • Dependent Variable • Connections between the entity, the IV, and the DV

4. Writing Background Research Questions • You should have at least 1 background question for each of the following 4 categories: • Entity • Independent Variable • Dependent Variable • Its structure and function • How changes can be best measured, recorded and observed • Connections between the entity, the IV and the DV

5. Writing Background Research Questions • You should have at least 1 background question for each of the following 4 categories: • Entity • Independent Variable • Dependent Variable • Connections between the entity, the IV and the DV • Learn what is already known about these relationships (i.e. previous research on this topic)

6. Example • Refer to the Otter Experimental Design and the corresponding background research questions on the back

7. Background Research Questions – student handout #3 • This handout involves the following: • Background questions for the 4 categories – minimum of 1 question per category • Bibliography Page - using MLA documentation, write out the bibliography entries below. You must have a minimum of 5 resources. (see copied chapter 10) • Page for taking notes from each resource. This page should reference the bibliography page for easy citation. • This handout is due _____10/4/12______

8. Writing Hypotheses • Start with a draft using any of the following sentence formats as a guide: • If __(IV)__ is related to __(DV)__, then (predict the effect). • If the __(IV)__ is (describe the changes), then the __(DV)__ will (predict the effect). • __(DV)__ will (predict the effect when __(IV)_ (describe the changes).

9. Writing Hypotheses • Your hypothesis should include: • Independent variable • Dependent variable • A prediction of what kind of effect the IV will have on the DV (should be based on your background research!) • When possible quantify your hypothesis

10. Writing Hypotheses • Practicing Writing Hypotheses • Student Handout #4 – do #1 NOW! • Finish for homework – don’t worry about writing the last section that asks you to write a few hypotheses for your own research topic.

11. Proposal Writing • A written document that describes the proposed experimental design of a research project • This is a process that will allow me to give you feedback prior to final report of your findings • Should include the following headings: • Title • Introduction • Experimental design table • Hypothesis • Materials • Methods

12. Title • Concise, descriptive, informative • Not in the form of a question • Must include IV and DV • Can use the following format: • The effect of __(IV)__ on the __(DV)__

13. Introduction • State the problem or topic and why you are studying • Explain how you are addressing the problem & how you plan to find the solution • See copied chapter 10 for more direction

14. Experimental Design Table • Update your Experimental Design Table (student handout #2 which you will have turned in on 9/20/12) • You will get this back in time with feedback to make changes 

15. Hypothesis • Write a hypothesis for your project including all important aspects of a good hypothesis… • Independent variable • Dependent variable • A prediction of what kind of effect the IV will have on the DV (should be based on your background research!) • When possible quantify your hypothesis

16. Materials • Provide a list of the materials required to conduct your experiment • Include items need to set up the experiment, consumables (items that will be used up during the experiment), tools, and instruments • Brands, suppliers, and models are all important details

17. Methods • Describe how the experimental design procedure will be carried out • Should be written in enough detail so that another person would be able to replicate the experiment • Describes the “how” and the “how much” of the experiment and makes up the bulk of your proposal

18. Before the methods you may want to… • Refer to your background research • Run some pre-trials – pretest to tweak the procedure • For example – seed germination pretrial may involve trying several seed types before choosing a specific species • For example – stream study pretrial may practice various methods of recording water velocity to determine the best method

19. Proposal Writing • Due date ___10/26/12__