August 24 - 28, 2009 and August 31 - September 4, 2009
Part A: 8 Steps of the Scientific Method
Step 1: State the problem or question: state the problem to be solved or the question to be answered.
Step 2: Research or Collect Information: Obtain facts and ideas from books, journals, internet, etc.
Step 3: Form a Hypothesis: Propose a solution or "best guess" based on what you already know.
Step 4: Test your Hypothesis (Experiment): Describe and conduct an experiment that would give you information to prove or disprove your hypothesis.
Step 5: Analyze data: Record your data by using diagrams, charts and/or graphs along with descriptions about what happened.
Step 6: Draw a conclusion: In your conclusion of your lab report, acknowledge whether the data gathered during experimentation has successfully supported your hypothesis or has not supported it.
Step 7: Repeat the process: Always test your hypothesis at least three times to see if your data is repeatable or not. If the data is not repeatable, then the data might not be reliable.
Step 8: Communicate results: Share your results with your classmates, teacher, and the community. It's important for scientists to communicate to others not only about the results of the investigation, but also the methods by which the investigation was done.
Part B: Scientific Method Terms
Observations - data that are descriptions of qualities such as shape, color, height, etc.
a. Objective observation - an observation based on fact
Example: My paper airplane is made out of white paper.
b. Subjective observation - an observation based on opinion
Example: My paper airplane design is the best.
Inference - an explanation that tries to make sense of your observations (drawing conclusions based on what you observed)
Example: Maybe I can increase the flight time by changing various
features of the paper airplane.
Hypothesis - a working explanation or trial answer to a problem ; an educated guess
Example: If I make the wings of my plane larger then the plane will
increase its flight time.
Control group - a group of subjects in an experiment who/what are not given any special
treatment; something that is not manipulated
Example: the original plane with no modifications
Constants - factors in an experiment that are kept the same and not allowed to change
Example: The size of the sheet of paper
Variables - things or factors that can be assigned or take on different values in an experiment.
a. Independent variables - variables that are purposely changed or
manipulated.
Example: Changing the wing shape of a paper airplane
b. Dependent variables - variables that may change as a result of the
independent variables.
Example: Increased flight time of paper airplane due to wing shape
Quantitative Data - data consisting of numbers
Example: The flight time of the paper airplane
Qualitative Data - data consisting of verbal descriptions or information gathered using scales without numbers.
Example: The wing shape (wide/narrow)
Parents and Students(posted September 3, 2009)
Chapter 3 notes can be found under the documents page for the week of September 7 - 11, 2009.