Investigation vs experiment

Investigation vs Experiment

by Mr. West

​Scientific Experiment

​A Scientific Experiment is a test under controlled conditions made to either demonstrate a known truth, examine the validity of a hypothesis, or test something previously untried.

​

​

​What is an experiment?

• ​Involves testing dependent and independent variables

• ​Establishes a cause and effect relationship

• ​Uses the Scientific Method

Open Ended

Explain why someone would want to perform a scientific experiment?

​Scientific Investigation

A Scientific Investigation is the act of investigating; the process of inquiring into or following up; research; study; inquiry, especially patient or thorough inquiry or examination

​What is an investigation?

• ​Clear questions drive the investigation

• ​Does not use the complete Scientific Method

• ​A hypothesis is not necessary

Open Ended

What are some questions that you may want to use to perform a Scientific Investigation?

​Get out your Science Notebook

• ​Turn to the first blank page and make a Double Bubble Map! Make sure it is large and takes up as much of the page as possible!

• ​Label the left side "EXPERIMENT" and the right side "INVESTIGATION"

• ​With your shoulder partner, fill this out with facts. Left side is for facts that only go with EXPERIMENT and the Right side is for facts that only go with INVESTIGATION. Any facts that apply to both go in the middle.

​It is PRACTICE TIME!!

​Choose whether you would conduct a Scientific Experiment or a Scientific Investigation to answer the following questions!

Multiple Choice

Why do we hear echoes?

• I should perform an experiment

• I should perform an investigation

Multiple Choice

Which liquid will freeze the fastest?

• I should perform an experiment

• I should perform an investigation

Multiple Choice

Which material is the best insulator?

• I should perform an experiment

• I should perform an investigation

Multiple Choice

Why Does Water Freeze from the Top Down?

• I should perform an experiment

• I should perform an investigation