Scientific Inquiry

Scientific Inquiry

Middle School

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Learning Objectives

• List the steps that are included in the scientific method.

• Describe the different parts of a good experiment, like variables and controls.

• Analyze a scientific experiment and the data that is collected from it.

• Draw conclusions from a scientific experiment by using the evidence you have gathered.

Key Vocabulary

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Scientific Inquiry

The ways scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on evidence from their work.

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Hypothesis

An educated guess or prediction that can be tested to help answer a scientific question.

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Independent Variable

The one factor that is purposely changed or manipulated during an experiment to observe its effect.

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Dependent Variable

The factor that changes in response to the independent variable and is measured during an experiment.

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Constant

All factors that must be intentionally kept the same throughout an experiment to ensure a fair test.

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What Is Scientific Inquiry?

• Scientific inquiry is the process scientists use to explore the natural world.

• Pattern seeking involves observing phenomena to identify patterns and trends in data.

• Researching is gathering and analyzing existing scientific findings to answer questions.

• A fair test means changing one variable while keeping all other conditions constant.

• Observing over time is carefully watching and recording how things change.

• Identifying and classifying involves grouping things together as per their shared features.

Multiple Choice

A scientist studies how shadows change throughout the day. Which type of scientific inquiry is being used?

• Identifying and classifying

• Fair testing

• Observing over time

• Researching

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The Scientific Method

• This method is a structured way to explore observations and answer questions.

• First, ask a question and then form a hypothesis, or an educated guess.

• Next, test your hypothesis with an experiment and record the data you collect.

• Finally, analyze your data and report your conclusions to share what you learned.

Multiple Choice

After conducting an experiment, a scientist records the results. Which step of the scientific method is this?

• Question

• Hypothesis

• Data

• Analyze

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Problem Statement & Hypothesis

Problem Statement

• A problem statement is a detailed question that describes the main topic of an experiment.

• It identifies the independent variable and the dependent variable, asking about the effect of one on the other.

• The question may be specific enough or it can be answered with a simple "yes" or "no."

Hypothesis

• A hypothesis is a testable prediction for the outcome of an experiment based on scientific reasoning.

• It is not just a random guess; it should be a logical and educated statement.

• It often follows the "If..., then..., because..." format to structure the prediction and reasoning.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a well-written hypothesis?

• Salt will make water boil faster.

• What is the effect of salt on the boiling time of water?

• If I add salt, the water will boil.

• If I add salt to water, then it will boil faster, because salt raises the boiling point of water.

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Variables in an Experiment

The Variables

• The independent variable is the one factor a scientist intentionally changes to test its effect.

• The dependent variable is the factor that gets measured to see the outcome of the change.

• The independent variable is the ‘cause,’ and the dependent variable is the resulting ‘effect.’

The Controls

• Constants are all the other factors that must be kept exactly the same during the experiment.

• Keeping factors constant ensures that you are conducting a fair test on your variables.

• An experimental control is a test group where the independent variable is not applied for comparison.

Multiple Choice

In an experiment to test how the amount of sunlight affects plant height, what is the independent variable?

• The plant height

• The type of soil

• The amount of water

• The amount of sunlight

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Data and Its Types

Qualitative Data

• ​This type of data describes the physical characteristics of an object.

• ​​It is based on observations made using the five senses.

• ​For example, you could describe a flower's petals as vibrant.

Quantitative Data

• ​This type of data is represented by numerical measurements.

• ​​It answers questions like 'how much?' or 'how many?'.

• ​For example, a plant that grew 3 cm in one week.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is an example of quantitative data?

• The leaf feels smooth.

• The plant's stem is 15 cm long.

• The solution turned a cloudy color.

• The animal seems happy.

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Analysis and Conclusion

Analysis

• ​Look closely at your data to find any patterns or relationships.

• ​​Describe how the independent variable affected the dependent variable in the experiment.

• ​Use specific data from your experiment to explain and support your findings.

Conclusion

• ​Write a short summary of the experiment and what you discovered from it.

• ​​Answer the original question or problem that you started your experiment with.

• ​State whether your results ended up supporting your original hypothesis or not.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary purpose of the conclusion step in the scientific method?

• To list all of the materials used in the experiment.

• To summarize the experiment and state if the hypothesis was supported.

• To create a visual representation of the data.

• To describe every observation in detail.

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Common Misconceptions About the Scientific Method

Misconception	Correction
The scientific method is a strict list of steps.	It is a flexible process where steps can be repeated or revisited.
An experiment fails if the hypothesis is proven wrong.	Disproving a hypothesis is a valuable result that leads to new questions.
Observations and inferences are the same thing.	Observations use senses to gather info; inferences are conclusions based on evidence.
You only need to do an experiment once.	Experiments must be repeated to ensure the results are reliable.

Multiple Choice

In an experiment testing how water temperature affects the time it takes for sugar to dissolve, what is the dependent variable?

• The time it takes for the sugar to dissolve

• The amount of sugar used

• The brand of sugar

• The temperature of the water

Multiple Choice

Why is it important to have constants in an experiment?

• To make the experiment take longer to complete

• To ensure that only the independent variable is affecting the dependent variable

• To have extra variables to measure

• To create more data points for the graph

Multiple Choice

A student hypothesizes, 'If a plant gets more water, then it will grow taller.' They test three plants: one with 20ml, one with 40ml, and one with 60ml of water daily. All plants are the same type, in the same soil, and get the same light. What is the most important conclusion they can draw from this setup?

• How the amount of water (IV) affects the plant's height (DV)

• How sunlight affects the growth of different plant types

• How the type of soil affects the amount of water needed

• If plants grow better with more or less soil

Multiple Choice

A student wants to test if classical music helps students study better. They have one group listen to classical music while studying and another group sit in silence. What is a critical design flaw if the music group studies in a comfortable library and the silent group studies in a noisy cafeteria?

• There is no independent variable in the experiment.

• The dependent variable is not measurable.

• The environments are not constant, so it's not a fair test.

• The students in the two groups might be different.

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Summary

• Scientific inquiry uses the scientific method to investigate the natural world.

• Experiments use variables and a control group to test a hypothesis.

• Data collected can be descriptive (qualitative) or numerical (quantitative).

• Analyze data to find patterns and draw a conclusion about the hypothesis.

Poll

On a scale of 1-4, how confident are you about the concepts covered in today's review?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4