Youngless: Nature of Science and the Scientific Method

1. Make an Observation and Ask a Question

2. Conduct Research

3. Make a hypothesis

4. Conduct controlled experiment

5. Collect and Analyze data

6. Make a Conclusion

What are the steps of the Scientific Method? (6 steps)

Observation

Information obtained through the senses.

Ex: It's wet outside

Inference

A guess about an object or outcome based on your observations

Ex: It's wet outside because it rained

Qualitative

Data in the form of words

Ex: sour taste

Quantative

Data in the form of numbers

Ex: 5.0 ml

Precise

How close measurements are to each other

Accuracy

refers to how close a measured value is to an accepted value

Hypothesis

A testable prediction based on observations (more than a guess!!) that describes a cause and effect relationship between variables

Ex: If ... then ...

independent variable

what the experimenter will deliberately change or manipulate in the investigation (Cause)

Ex: The type of solution used in the petri dish

dependent variable

what changes in response to the independent variable (Effect)

Ex: Number of seeds that germinate

Experimental Group

groups that are being tested

Ex: Acid Solution and Detergent Solution petri dishes

Control Group

group used for comparison with your experimental groups. This is the "normal" group

Ex: The petri dish with water

Constants

Conditions that stay the same in the experiment

Ex: 8 seeds; 8 ml of solution

Conclusion

A summary based on evidence or facts. Supports or rejects your hypothesis