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Introduction to Scientific Investigation

What is Science?

How do you define science?


What does science mean to you?
Steps of the Scientific Process
Introduction to the Scientific Process
A logical, problem
solving technique
Introduction to the Scientific Process

Question Observation Hypothesis

Analyze Experiment
Draw results
Conclusions
Use conclusions to develop a new hypothesis
Step 1: Question
Observe the world around you

Using observations, identify a problem you would like to solve


Example: ARE ELPHANTS REALLY AFRAID OF MICE?
This is a question you DO NOT know the answer to
and cant look up.
Why and What would happen if.. are good
beginnings of scientific questions.
Remember?
Observation Inference
Uses our senses to gather A logical interpretation of
information events based on prior
Qualitative: uses our 5 knowledge or opinion
senses Educated guess
WHERE THERE ARE AN ELEPHANT SEEING A
ELEPHANTS, THERES
MOUSE, WOULD BE LIKE A
ELEPHANT DUNG
HUMAN SEEING A FLY ON THE
Quantitative: uses numbers GROUND
ONE MOUSE, IN A PILE OF
DUNG

Do we use observations or inferences when identifying a problem?


Step 2:Observation
Use references to do Example: ELEPHANT VS.
background research THE MOUSE
Books THE SAYING,
Journals ELEPHANTS ARE
Magazines AFRAID OF MICE.
Internet
IN CARTOONS,
TV
Videos
ELEPHANTS ARE AFRAID
OF MICE
Interviews
www.goldstarexterminators.net
Step 3: Formulate a Hypothesis
Hypothesis Example: ELEPHANT
Possible answer to a IF we place a mouse in
question that can be tested front of an elephant, THEN
based on observations and the elephant will not see
knowledge the mouse BECAUSE the
If Then Because mouse is to small to see.
statement

Do we use observation or inference to


formulate a hypothesis?
Step 4: Develop an Experiment
Procedure
Step by step instructions
Identifies the variables used in the
experiment
DIG A HOLE INTO A PIECE OF
ELEPHANT DUNG
TIE A STRING TO THE DUG, PLACE
THE MOUSE UNDER THE DUNG
WHEN THE ELEPHANT APPROACHES
THE DUNG, PULL THE STRING AND
EXPOSE THE MOUSE
THE ELEPHANT WILL THEN REACT TO
THE MOUSE
Variables: Independent Variable
The variable I (the scientist) change or
manipulate
DOES NOT change throughout experiment.
Examples:
THE METHOD USED(DUNG, MOUSE, STRING)
BREED OF THE ELEPHANT
TYPE OF MOUSE
Variables: Dependent Variable
Is measured in the experiment
Changes because of the independent
variable
Depends on the independent variable
Examples:
DOES THE ELEPHANT REACT TO THE MOUSE
HOW DOES THE ELEPHANT REACT
Variables: Constant
All the factors in the Examples:
experiments that are kept THE METHOD
the same SIZE OF THE MOUSE
Keeps the experiment fair
The CONSTANT =
INDEPEDANT VARIABLES
Variable: Control
The normal condition that you compare the
other conditions to
Recreate the conditions you first observed
Example:
IN CARTOONS AND POP CULTURE, ELEPHANTS
ARE AFRAID OF MICE
IN THE EXPERIMENT, THE ELEPHANT
APPEARED TO BE AFRAID OF THE MOUSE
Step 5: Record and Organize Data
Write all observations and measurements
Use a table to organize your data
List your independent variable on the left side
Record your dependent variables on the right side
If you have more than one dependent variable, use a new column for each
dependent variable

Independent Variable Dependent Variable:


DID THE ELEPHANT REACT?
THE METHOD USED

MOUSE SIZE

Which one of these independent variables is the control?

Which part of the independent variable is the constant?


Step 6: Analyze Data
A picture is worth a thousand words
Compare and look for trends and patterns
using graphs
Bar Graph

Used fo
categorical data
Distantce in Feet
Line Graph
Comparison of PAPERCUT Trials
Distance in Feet

Line graphs are used


for time interval data
Pie Chart

A Pie Chart
adds up to a whole
100% or
all of something

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