Scientific Inquiry Process Lesson

Scientific Inquiry

by Jeff Anderson

​The Scientific Method

• ​Observe Natural Phenomenon or a Problem

• ​Ask a Testable Question

• ​Form a Hypothesis

• ​Perform a Controlled Experiment

• ​Collect and Analyze Data

• ​Form a Conclusion

Multiple Select

When performing a controlled experiment, what things should you do to increase its effectiveness.

• Have a large sample size

• Repeat trials

• Have a control group

• Make up results that support your hypothesis

​How to Form a Hypothesis

• ​The hypothesis is a prediction that can be proven true or false

• ​Write your hypothesis as a statement:

  • ​"If (I do this) then (this will happen) because..."

​Plan your experiment!

• ​​Identify the variables

  • ​Independent: what is changed

  • ​Dependent: what is measured

  • ​Controlled: factors that stay the same for all groups

• ​Set up experimental groups and a control

• ​Write your steps down so they can be repeated

Poll

How many variables should I change when conducting a controlled experiment?

• 1 - one

• 2 - two

• 3 - three

• 0 - none

​What to do with my data?

​Organize data in a table.

• ​Include Title and Headings for rows and columns

​

Use Graphs to analyze and interpret data.

​Conclusions!!!

1. ​Tell the observer what your data shows

1. ​Does the data support your hypothesis?

2. ​Identify mistakes and sources of error.

3. ​Suggest future studies and improvements that could be made

​

Multiple Select

What are some errors that might be made in an experiment and lower its validity?

• Lack of controlled variables

• Large sample sizes

• Only one trial run of the experiment

• Disorganized data

• Recording wrong measurements

Possible Sources of Error​

Some errors are random. Reduce the chance of random error by increasing sample size and number of trials​

Poll

The engineering process is very similar to the scientific method except that it strives to solve a problem instead of answering a question about the natural world.

• True

• False

Open Ended

​Building a Model

A model is a simplified and scaled (too large or too small) version of an actual thing or process.

Name one thing that might be easier to study with a model?

​Scrutinizing science in the media

• ​Is the publisher credible?

• Is there a hidden agenda or bias?​

• ​Is there a control group?

• ​Are there references?

Open Ended

What is bias?

​Communicating Science

• ​Present information in an organized way

• ​Use good public speaking habits

• ​Use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.

Multiple Choice

Forming a Scientific Argument

• Use evidence to support your point

• Ignore the ideas of others

• Provide false information

• Use your opinions and bias

• Be sure to name call and try to hurt feelings

Multiple Choice

Variables: What do you call the factor that you change in an experiment?

• Independent variable

• Dependent Variable

• Controlled Variables

• Control Group

Multiple Select

Which group in an experiment doesn't receive a treatment?

• Control Group

• Independent Group

• Dependent Group

• Pay Paytons Group

Multiple Choice

A bar graph is used to

• Count or group data

• Show change in a variable

• Show % or parts of a whole

• Start your engine

Multiple Choice

A line graph is used to

• Count or group data

• Show change in a variable

• Show % or parts of a whole

• Start your engine

​Describe the Relationship

Multiple Choice

On a line graph, which variable goes on the Y-axis?

• Dependent

• Independent

• Controlled

• Sterling's

Multiple Choice

If you have more than one line on a line graph you could label the line or use a

• key

• story line

• circle graph

• model

​Law, Theory, Hypothesis

• ​Scientific Laws: govern how we live on earth

• ​Scientific Theories: explain why things happen on Earth

• ​Hypothesis: An explanation before a test

​NOT SCIENCE

​Science is

​

• ​Verifiable

• ​Reproducible

• ​Modifiable