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Scientific method/inquiry

Scientific method/inquiry

What is scientific inquiry?

  • Process that uses a variety of skills and tools to test a ideas or answer questions

  • Skills that scientist use to conduct an investigation can be used in any order

What is the difference between scientific inquiry and scientific method?

  • Scientific method follows a step-by-step procedure. On the other hand, scientific inquiry does not follow a step-by-step procedure.

Why is it important to ask questions in science? 

  • It helps scientists to pursue their ideas and help solve big problems

  • Asking the right questions leads to meaningful investigations. 

  • Questions are the basis and foundation of scientific inquiry. 

  • Questions help the scientists direct their research towards the most important 

  • Guides investigation towards important insights. 

Why do scientists begin their studies by observing the natural world? 

  • Provides valuable information that can serve as a basis for the investigations. 

  • Allows scientists to gather data, identify patterns and relationships, develop hypothesis that can be tested and refined through experiments. 

Branches of Science 

  • Physical science

Physics and chemistry 

  • Earth science

Focuses on what happens on earth and deep within it 

  • Life science

Study of all living things/organisms 

Variables of science

  • Independent variable 

Variable being changed 

  • Dependent variable

Variable that gets measured and observed

  • Controlled variable

Not changing 

For example:

 A company wants to test a new dog food that is supposed to help overweight dogs lose weight. 50 dogs are chosen to get the new food, and 50 more continue their normal diets. After one month, the dogs are checked to see if they lost any weight.

  • The independent variable here is the new dog food. 

  • The dependent variable is the weight lost. 

  • The control variable here is the company and the dogs on the normal diet. 

A new sunscreen has been developed that is supposed to be more effective at preventing sunburn. 30 participants spray one arm with the new formula, and spray the other arm with the leading formula. After 4 hours in the sun, their skin is evaluated for any redness.

  • The independent variable here is the sunscreen

  • The dependent variable is the redness of the skin

  • The control variable here is the arm with the leading formula. The people themselves. 

Scientific theory vs. Scientific law

  • Scientific theory is a well-tested explanation for experimental results. It explains how and why the event occurred.

  • Scientific law describes an observed pattern in nature. It is what will occur. Describes what phenomena might happen. 

Hypothesis vs. Prediction 

  • An educated guess. A hypothesis is an idea about how something works that can be tested using experiments.

  • A prediction says what will happen in an experiment if the hypothesis is correct. 

Scientific method 

  • Make an observation

  • Ask a question 

  • Formulate a hypothesis

  • Perform an experiment 

  • Analyze results and data

  •  Make a conclusion 

  • Communicate results