THE NATURE OF SCIENCE AND SCIENTIFIC METHODS

What is Science?

How is Science Done?

SCIENCE IS: a way of understanding the natural world

based on our senses and instruments to enhance our senses

exploration

http://pirun.ku.ac.th/~fscinpc/

http://www.mathiaspedersen.com/3dportfolio/highres/poor_pluto_1600x900.jpg

CHARACTERISTICS OF SCIENCE tentative: subject to change empirical: measurable in terms of real data logical: organized and explanative objective: based on supportive evidence social: communicated among scientific

community creative: imaginative, fun, and useful

(TECHNOLOGY is the practical application of science)

SCIENCE ASKS: What’s there? How does it work? How did it come

to be this way?

http://pirun.ku.ac.th/~fscinpc/

SCIENCE IS DONE by EVERYONE, EVERYDAY

to develop new knowledge

using the SCIENTIFIC METHOD as a way to collect data (general process) to answer a question

SCIENTIFIC METHOD Many expressions of the

scientific method!!! ALL start with

OBSERVATION information gatheredfrom the senses

After observation, steps do not have to be done “in order”

ALL “end” with sharing information & starting over

http://www.thwink.org/sustain/deadlock/WhyUnableToSolveProblem.htm

OBSERVATION

Why is it that way? What do other people know about this? How can I find out more?

this information becomes the Introduction

formal lab reportthis information is

condensed into the purpose

informal lab report

INFERENCE?HYPOTHESIS? OR PREDICTION?

a guess at what will happen

based on prior experience a testable

explanation that guides an

experiment

an explanation based on

evidence and reasoning

PREDICTION

HYPOTHESIS

INFERENCE

an explanation based on

evidence and reasoning

An Example

HYPOTHESISCorn with fertilizer will grow taller than corn without fertilizer

OBSERVATIONSome plants are taller than others

EXPERIMENTTest hypothesis under controlled

conditions

http://www.agronext.iastate.edu/corn/production/management/cropping/cornfollowcorn.html Reading says

soybeans act as fertilizer

DESIGN AN EXPERIMENT

CONTROL GROUPreceives “normal” treatment

EXPERIMENTAL GROUP

receives independent variable

Corn will receive:• sunlight• water• soil

Corn will receive:• sunlight• water• soil • fertilizer

A controlled experiment is a comparison of two or more groups with one difference between the groups

SAMPLE GROUP: Smaller group representative of population(example – political polls)

sunlight, water, soil

CONSTANT VARIABLE: factors that stay the same

VARIBLES: Factors that can change

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: the difference between the groups; the factor manipulated (changed) by the experimenter

fertilizer

DEPENDENT VARIABLE:the measured result of the experiment; the factor that responds to the change

plant height

Experiment & Collect Data

DATA / EVIDENCE: “raw” or unprocessed measurements from the experiment

QUALITATIVE: (subjective): descriptive data, uses words, pictures

QUANTITATIVE: (objective): numerical data,from instruments

Height of corn with fertilizer averaged 2 cm taller than control group

Height of corn with fertilizer was taller than control group

RESULTS & ANALYSIS What does your data mean?

RESULTS: evidence from experiment; organization of data

Tables, graphs, visual representation of data

CONCLUSIONS (TELL) Make a CONCLUSION

(explanation based on data)

Does the data support or refute the hypothesis?

Were there any ERRORS (sources of mistakes)?

Was there a way to improve the experiment?

WHAT NOW???? After several experiments have been done,

Scientists SHARE their findings and/or develop… MODEL: graphical explanation or representation

THEORY: a well-tested hypothesis that is has not been proven wrong; generally accepted to be “correct,” unless disproven

LAW: a predictable relationship that is accepted as fact; often expressed as a formula (F=ma)

PRINCIPLE: a concept from which other ideas are derived

OVERVIEW OF S.M. Tests explanations Refines ideas Tests them again Shares what

happened

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method.shtm

References

http://www.a2zteachersoutlet.com/images/cwg3503.gif

Various ideas/pictures from Integrated Science Team at Palisades Charter High School