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)

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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

​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