Scientific Investigation

What is Scientific Investigation?

It is the process by which we study the world around us.

  1. Ask Question/State Problem - Research

  2. Form a Hypothesis - If. . . Then. . .

  3. Design and Set Up a Controlled Experiment -

    It’s important to have a carefully designed controlled experiment so you can test a hypothesis in a reliable way and lead to a more definitive conclusion.

    • IV
    • DV
    • Constants
    • Control

  4. Record Results - Collect data

    • Qualitative - NUMBERS
    • Quantitative - LANGUAGE

  5. Analyze Results - Observe/ infer

  6. Draw a Conclusion - Tables and graphs

  7. Publish Results - Scientific Journal

Law vs. Theory

A theory :: a well tested explanation that includes many different observations, facts and even laws!

THEORIES change to accommodate new discoveries
Theories are also DURABLE. They are increasingly unlikely to change as more and more evidence is accumulated.

Law: is a statement of relation that describes an action. It is accepted to be true and universal.