Scientific Method: Study of Life (Chapter 1):

Unit I: Organization of Life – Cell Structure & Function

Inductive Reasoning

Development of scientific theories

Deductive Reasoning

Process of testing hypotheses on existing theories

Identify the steps of the scientific method (7 steps)

1. Observation

2. Question

3. Hypothesis

4. Prediction

5. Experiment

6. Results

7. Conclusion

Observation

What you see or notice

Question

Process of forming & testing hypothesis

Hypothesis

“What if” question (If….Then….)

Prediction

What you expect to happen if your hypothesis is correct

Experiment

Test your prediction

Results

Data & Observations

Conclusion

Interpret your results & decide if hypothesis supported or rejected

Independent Variable

YOU change (Ex. Amount of sunlight)

Dependent Variable

You measure (Ex. Height plant growth)

Control Variable

Stays the same (Ex. Type of plant, water, soil, & temperature)

Experimental Group

Receives the variable (Affected)

Control Group

DOES NOT receive the variable (Unaffected)

Hypothesis

“What if” statement (If…Then…)

Theory

Well-supported explanation

Basic Science

Knowledge for its own sake

Applied Science

Solve real world problems

Natural Laws

1. Exist & Understand

2. Consistent: Time & Space

3. Two observers same reference perceive a phenomenon