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Natural PhilosophySocrates, Plato, Aristotle
Were the “authorities” in Western thought from about 500 BCE to 1600 AD
Believed that there was a perfect world, but this world isn’t it
Natural PhilosophyAristotle’s “perfect world” was
accessible only through thought and contemplation.
Observation or experiment on this dirty, nasty imperfect world was useless in understanding “timeless truth.”
Beginnings of ScienceScience, as we know it, evolved from
“natural philosophy” (literally “thinking about nature”) starting about the year 1600 due to the work of Galileo, Bacon, and many others.
Scientific Progress In the last 400 years, scientists have
made incredible strides in their efforts to understand our universe (although there is still much to know).
Scientific progress has brought about technological progress that Galileo could not have imagined.
Scientific Methods
“The success of science has more to do with an attitude common to scientists than with a particular method. This attitude is one of inquiry, experimentation, and humility before the facts.”
Ideas Worth Sharing
Science TerminologyWe need a common science vocabulary
in order to communicate effectively with one another.
Keep in mind that the scientific meaning of a word is often different than its everyday meaning.
Steps in the Scientific Steps in the Scientific MethodMethod
Question/ProblemQuestion/Problem Observation/InferenceObservation/Inference
HypothesisHypothesis Experimental DesignExperimental Design
MethodsMethods ProcedureProcedure
ResultsResults Data CollectionData Collection Data AnalysisData Analysis
ConclusionConclusion Further ResearchFurther Research
Retest etc. Retest etc.
Observation An observation is something you notice.
May be casual or even accidental May be formal - experimental data are
observations.You make an observation based on your
senses- sight, sound, hearing, taste etc.Not all observations are correct - people
make mistakes.
You Try Observing…
You Try Observing…
1. Where there any cars on the side of the street?
2. What color is the pick up truck driving in the road?
3. Were there any mini vans around?
4. What does the blue sign say?
5. What is the speed limit?
6. Are there any pedestrians on the road?
You Try Observing…Answers:
1. Yes
2. Blue
3. Yes
4. Yard Sale
5. 35 mph
6. No
Scientific InferenceLogical interpretation based upon prior
knowledge and experiencesBased upon observationsExample: On the first day of school
when you entered the room, you most likely inferred that the individual in the front of the room was the teacher.
Problem/QuestionA problem/question is formed based on
observations and inferencesMust be testableCan ask what, why, how
Example: Why is the sky blue? How do trees grow so big? What happens when…..
HypothesesA hypothesis is a possible explanation as to
why something happens.Most likely written in the If….then.. Because…
form A scientific hypothesis must be testable by
observation - there must be observations that we can make to tell whether the hypothesis is correct or not.
If (we perform this experiment), then (this is what is going to happen), because (we found this out based on our research.)
Experimental Experimental DesignDesign
A A set of materials set of materials needed needed to to conduct the conduct the experimentexperiment
A A detailed list of detailed list of steps usedsteps used to to testtest the hypothesis.the hypothesis.
Scientific Experiments Scientific Experiments Follow Rules: VariablesFollow Rules: Variables
An experimenter changes one factor (independent variable) and observes or measures what happens (dependent variable) .
The Control The Control Variable/GroupVariable/Group
The experimenter makes a The experimenter makes a special effort to keep special effort to keep other other factors constantfactors constant so that they so that they will not effect the outcome.will not effect the outcome.
Those factors are called Those factors are called control variables.control variables. Controls are NOT being tested Controls are used for COMPARISON
Other VariablesThe factor that is changed
is known as the independent variable.
The factor that is measured or observed is called the dependent variable.
One more thing… it is best to make several trials with each independent variable.
DataDataResults of the
experimentMay be quantitative
(numbers) or qualitative (based on descriptions)
If numbers are used, they must be measured using the metric system!
ConclusionsA conclusion is a decision based on
observations, facts, and experimental data.
It explains what happened and provides an explanation as to why it may have happened.
Further ResearchFurther Research
Future Research must be addressed. Describes possible
experiments that could be completed in the future based on your conclusions.
Scientific LawsA scientific law is a powerful summary
of many facts. Laws describe what happens, they don’t
generally explain why they happen. Laws can often be expressed very
conveniently and concisely in mathematical form.
Scientific TheoriesAs experimental evidence (observations) accumulates,
we can become more confident that a hypothesis is true.A theory is a synthesis (powerful combination) of
well-tested hypotheses.Scientific theories tend to explain why scientific laws
operate the way they do - theories are often called “models”.
Fun Fact: The word “theory” is probably the most misused science term - certainly by laymen, but even by scientists!
The Process of Science In science NOTHING (well, hardly
anything) is ever “proven once and for all”.
This process of testing facts, conclusions, laws, and theories with experimental observations NEVER ENDS.
Steps in the Lab ReportSteps in the Lab Report AbstractAbstract
Summary of the experimentSummary of the experiment Background InformationBackground Information
Mention previous studiesMention previous studies Major findings of researchMajor findings of research
Question/ProblemQuestion/Problem Based on observationBased on observation
Experimental DesignExperimental Design Materials/proceduresMaterials/procedures
DataData Data AnalysisData Analysis Discussion Discussion Further ResearchFurther Research Works CitedWorks Cited
The End