G9 Chap 1.3 - Methods of Science

Methods of Science

Chapter 1 Section 3

​What is the Scientific Method?

​Process of gathering information and answering questions

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Scientists all over the world follow the scientific method when conducting research

​Step 1 - Ask a Question

• Make observations

• Look up information that is already known

• Make inferences

  • combine what you already know + what you have learned = logical conclusion​

Example:​

• Observation - The plant looks like it is dying. I only water the plant 1x time per week

• Question - How can I help the plant grow?

• ​Inference - I know plants need water and sunlight, maybe it's not getting enough ______

​Step 2 - Form a Hypothesis

• A testable explanation or solution for the question/problem

• Written as an IF....THEN statement

  • IF... (variable)

  • THEN... (result)

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Example:

• "If the plant is watered 3x per week, then it will grow taller"

Multiple Choice

To combine what you already know + what you have learned

• observation

• hypothesis

• inference

• test

Multiple Choice

A testable explanation to a question

• observation

• hypothesis

• theory

• inference

Multiple Choice

A hypothesis should be written as a(n)

• THEN....IF statement

• IF...THEN statement

• BECAUSE...THEN statement

• IF...BECAUSE statement

​Step 3 - Experiment

Create an experiment to test the hypothesis

• Control Group

  • Used for comparisons

    • This group receives nothing

• Experimental Group

  • Used for testing the hypothesis

    • This group is exposed to the factor being tested​

Ex: One plant receives water 1x per week (same as before)

​​

Ex: One plant receives water 3x per week

​Step 3 - Experiment

• Independent Variable (IV)

  • The factor you decide to be different between the 2 groups

  • The factor that is changed

• Dependent Variable (DV)

  • ​The factor that is measured

  • Is the result of the differences with the IV

​Step 3 - Experiment

• Constant

  • Any other factor(s) that stays the same during the experiment for both groups

Examples

• type of plant

• type of pot/soil

• amount of sunlight​

Multiple Choice

The group in an experiment that receives nothing

• experimental group

• control group

• independent variable

• constant

Multiple Choice

The group in an experiment that is exposed to the factor you are testing

• dependent variable

• control group

• experimental group

• constant

Multiple Choice

The factor(s) in an experiment that stay the same for both groups

• independent variable

• dependent variable

• experimental group

• constant

Fill in the Blanks

The factor in an experiment that you decide to be different between the groups is called the

variable

Fill in the Blanks

The factor in an experiment that is measured is called the

variable

​Step 4 - Collect data

• Quantitative - measurements

  • always use Metric System

• Qualitative - descriptions using senses

  • colors, smells, pictures, etc​

​Step 5 - Analyze Data

• "Has the hypothesis been supported?"

• "Do we need more data?"

• "Do we need different procedures?"

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• ​Create charts and graphs to display data

• Interpret the results

​Step 6 - Report Conclusions

• Write a report that includes the

  • question

  • hypothesis

  • materials used

  • procedure

  • data

  • conclusion

Multiple Choice

Data can be in the form of

• measurements

• descriptions of what you see

• pictures of before/after

• all answers are correct

Multiple Select

Charts and graphs will help you to... (select more than 1)

• analyze the data

• throw away the data

• change the data

• determine if the hypothesis is supported

Multiple Choice

When writing a report of the experiment, it does not need to be very detailed

• true

• false

Poll

I am excited to do some Biology experiments

• Yes

• No

• Maybe