Communicating results

Communicating results

Middle School

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Learning Objectives

• Describe the final step that scientists take during the scientific process.

• Identify three main ways that scientists use to share their discoveries.

• Explain the key benefits of sharing scientific findings with others.

• Understand the important role of peer review in the scientific publication process.

Key Vocabulary

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Peer Review

A process where your scientific work is evaluated by other experts in the same field.

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Scientific Journal

A special publication where scientists report new research findings to help advance scientific knowledge.

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Scientific Conference

A formal event where scientists present their research findings to their peers and the public.

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Communicate Results

The final step of the scientific method, involving sharing your findings with other interested people.

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Communicating in the Scientific Process

• The scientific process is a series of steps used to investigate observations.

• ​These steps include asking a question, creating a hypothesis, and doing an experiment.

• The final step of this process is to communicate the results to others.

• Sharing conclusions is essential for the advancement of scientific knowledge for everyone.

Multiple Choice

Which step comes just before communicating results in the scientific process?

• RESEARCH

• HYPOTHESIS

• EXPERIMENT

• ANALYZE RESULTS & CONCLUSION

Methods of Scientific Communication

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Scientific Journal

• ​Scientists publish their work in journals to share their findings.

• ​​Other scientists in the field check the work for accuracy.

• ​This important process is known as a peer review.

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Website

• ​Another method scientists use is to create a website.

• ​​This allows for quick and wide sharing of information.

• ​It helps them reach a broad audience including the public.

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Scientific Conference

• ​Scientists present their research at a scientific conference.

• ​​This is a way to share findings directly with peers.

• ​They get immediate feedback and discuss research in person.

Multiple Choice

What must happen before a scientist's research is published in a scientific journal?

• It must be shared with the public first.

• It must be reviewed by other scientists.

• It must be presented at a conference.

• A website must be created about it.

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Why Sharing Results is Important

• Other scientists can review the work to make sure it is accurate.

• It helps the public learn about new scientific discoveries and their effects.

• Scientists can connect with others, leading to teamwork and faster progress.

• It helps scientists get recognition for their important work and discoveries.

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Multiple Choice

According to the text, what is a primary benefit of connecting with other scientists doing similar work?

• It raises public awareness.

• It is a requirement for publishing in a journal.

• It helps scientists gain personal fame.

• It can lead to collaboration to find out more information.

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Common Misconceptions About Science

Misconception	Correction
Scientific results are final and never change.	Science is always evolving. New evidence can change what we know.
An experiment is the last step of scientific work.	Sharing results is a crucial final step for scientists.
Scientists always keep their work a secret.	Sharing their work with others is a key part of science.

Multiple Choice

Why is peer review considered a crucial part of communicating results through a scientific journal?

• To guarantee the scientist will gain notoriety.

• To help the scientist create a website.

• To ensure procedures were followed and the work is valid.

• To connect the scientist with the public.

Multiple Choice

Based on the described methods of communication, what is the main difference between publishing in a journal and presenting at a conference?

• Journals are for the public, while conferences are only for scientists.

• Only journal publications can be peer-reviewed.

• Journals involve a formal review process before publication, while conferences allow for immediate, in-person feedback.

• Conferences lead to notoriety, while journals do not.

Multiple Choice

A scientist has discovered a new way to purify water but needs help developing the technology. Which two communication methods would be most effective for finding other scientists to collaborate with?

• Publishing in a journal and gaining notoriety.

• Creating a website and raising public awareness.

• Presenting at a conference and publishing in a journal.

• Presenting at a conference and creating a website for the public.

Multiple Choice

If a scientist's primary goal is to inform the general public quickly about a health-related discovery, what would be the most effective communication method to use and why?

• Presenting at a scientific conference, because it allows for direct questions.

• Publishing in a scientific journal, because it is peer-reviewed.

• Gaining notoriety, because it makes the news.

• Creating a website, because it reaches a broad audience quickly.

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Summary

• Communicating results is the final and essential step of the scientific process.

• Scientists communicate findings by publishing in journals, creating websites, and presenting at conferences.

• Peer review is a key process for validating research before it is published.

• Sharing results allows for peer validation, public awareness, and fosters collaboration.

Poll

On a scale of 1-4, how confident are you about explaining why scientists communicate their results?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4