Science

Scientific Inquiry and scientific methods

Hypothesis

A testable explanation / idea

Theory

An explanation of natural phenomena

Scientific law

Describes a consistent pattern in nature under specific conditions

Will always hold true and theories cannot become law

Scientific Inquiry

Development of new explanations rooted in unbiased observations / investigations

First scientific method

Observations and questions

Second scientific method

Refining questions

Third scientific method

Forming a hypothesis, generally about a possible mechanism / association / interaction

Independent variable

Factor being tested, unaffected by other factors, and changes among experimental groups

Dependent variable

Factor being measures, affected by other factors, and doesn’t change among experimental groups

Null hypothesis

No difference between groups or treatments ( Easier to prove something wrong than right )

Control group

Same as experimental group except the individual variable

Fourth scientific method

Designing the experiment

Should think about what data, whats needed, when / where, who will collect, how to analyze the data

Qualitative data

Words / descriptions, subjective and prone to bias

Quantitive data

Measurable numerical values

Continuous data

Any numerical value ( length, time, electric current etc. )

Discrete values

Count data, fixed values, whole numbers ( number of electrons, roots, etc. )

Fifth scientific method

Experimental procedure

Include amount of material used, duration, who will record / manage data, and the type of data analysis

Sixth scientific method

Run experiment and record results

Raw data must be recorded in a well constructed / easily understood graph with the unit of measurement

Seventh scientific method

Data collection

Sample size

Number of times the measurements were taken

Accuracy

How close a measure value is to the true value

Precision

How similar the repeated values are to each other

Uncertainty

How much a measured data point differs

Eighth scientific method

Interpreting results

Inductive reasoning

Specific observations → general conclusion

Used to make generalizations

Deductive reasoning

General observations → specific conclusion

Taking two or more true statements to reach a conclusion

Ninth scientific method

Disseminating findings

A, B, C

Ocular lenses, revolving nosepiece, and objective lens

D, E, F

Carrying handle, slide holder, and stage

G, H, I

Condenser aperture lever, coarse adjustment, and condenser

J, K, L

Fine adjustment, light, light intensity control