2. In your lab notebook, please answer as best you can:
1. What are the four MAIN steps of the Scientific Method?
• Observation, Hypothesis, Experiment, Conclusion
2. What is BIAS in science?
• An assumed belief that affects the way you see or understand things.
3. Give two reasons specific procedures should be written down.
• So it can be performed by YOU (as stated, in multiple trials)
• So it can be performed by OTHERS
• So your results can be evaluated
4. What is the outcome (the “effect”) of the experiment called?
• Dependent Variable
4. Which data should be graphed on the X axis?
• IV = Independent Variable, the thing you choose to test/change (cause)
Bonus Q: What is a qualitative description (compared to quantitative)?
Review
Quiz 13
3. State the
Problem (as a ?)
Do Background
Research
"Best Guess"
Solution
Design (Materials
& Procedures)
Perform (Collect
& Analyze Data)
Report Results
Hypothesis is
False or Partly True
Hypothesis is
True
Revise!
Try Again
Conclusion
Experiment
Hypothesis
Observation
4. Experiment Data Collection
• As you perform the experiment, observations and
data must be recorded.
– measurements listed in a chart
– written observations
– drawings
– photos
Magnet Type
(Independent Variable)
Distance to Paper Clip (cm)
(Dependent Variable)
N Pole
Trial 1 Trial 2
S Pole
Trial 1 Trial 2
Midway
between N & S
Ceramic bar
Neodymium disc
Oval hematite
5. Data Analysis
• Next, analyze the data to show cause/effect
– Numbers, observations, and measurements are
broken down, organized, and studied
– Graphing the data allows patterns to emerge,
showing cause-and-effect relationships
• Independent Variable on the X-axis
• Dependent Variable on the Y-axis
– Label each axis
– Include units and a title
7. Experiment Conclusion
• After explaining what your data shows, state
your CONCLUSION
– Restate/rephrase your hypothesis
– Tell whether your data supports or contradicts your
hypothesis
– Example:
• The measurements, when compared, showed an average 1.6 mm
difference in length and .8 mm difference in width.
• The cast was almost identical in shape, but did not fit into the
mold of the hypothesized animal because it was 7 mm smaller in
width and 4 mm shorter length-wise.
• Therefore, this does not support the hypothesis that the animal
tracks were made by a skunk.
8. The Scientific Method
• If hypothesis is rejected
– share findings and let others perform the experiment
– modify your hypothesis and perform another experiment
• If hypothesis is supported
– share findings and let others perform the experiment
– repeat to verify results
• Either way, something was learned!
– NEVER make up results simply because you
think it was “supposed” to go differently
– NEVER change your hypothesis before forming
a conclusion
9. Evaluating Error
• EVERY experiment has errors
– Uncontrolled variables
• Weather, animal behavior, unexpected interruptions
– Data collection errors
• Inconsistent methods, accidents, contamination
• Sloppy recording (can’t read writing, mixed numbers)
• Be sure to record and note in your conclusion
all errors and ways they could be corrected in
future experiments.
10. What’s Next?
• Include plans for further experimentation
– Revisions: what would you do different next time?
– New questions: revised hypothesis or different
(but related) questions to investigate.
• Include WHY you want to
change things for your next
experiment!
11. State the
Problem (as a ?)
Do Background
Research
"Best Guess"
Solution
Design (Materials
& Procedures)
Perform (Collect
& Analyze Data)
Report Results
Hypothesis is
False or Partly True
Hypothesis is
True
Revise!
Try Again
Conclusion
Experiment
Hypothesis
Observation
12. F = Gm1m2
r2
Fact - Theory - Law
• Fact:
– an objective, verifiable observation of
something that occurs in our natural world
– i.e. gravity, natural selection, heat exchange
• Theory:
– an explanation of how natural occurrences work
• it can be repeated, and tested with predictable results
• a hypothesis that is proven correct often explains part of theory
– i.e. Theory of Gravity, Theory of Evolution, Kinetic Theory of Matter
• Law:
– a mathematical description of observable phenomenon
– i.e. Newton's First Law of Universal Gravitation
Editor's Notes
Bonus ?: qualitative describes a quality such as color, name, individual type, brand, etc. while quantitative gives a numerical measurment
...or unrecognized variable (maybe two different animals made tracks on top of each other - they'd be hard to distinguish)?
...or no control (you couldn't tell what's causing a change)
NOT theory becomes law becomes fact!
Gravitational Force (pull) = gravitational constant (6.67 x 10 -11) x mass of object 1 x mass of object 2 divided by the square of the distance between their centers (r).
