Scientific method and the cheques lab revisited

1. THE NATURE OF SCIENCE

2. Goal of Cheques Activity
• To help you experience the true nature of science.
• To illustrate that scientific explanations are often tentative
because new discoveries may show that previous
hypothesis were incorrect.
• To demonstrate the value of collaboration in order to
arrive at a reasonable explanation of the problem.
• To simulate the sharing of information in the scientific
community.

3. Some of Your Thoughts from Exit Ticket
• Science is a seven letter word…
• Science is a study that answers all the how and why questions
that the world has…
• Science is about applying knowledge to create new
technologies…
• Science is what we know and what we’re yet to know…
• Science is the study and explanation of how things work…
• Science is the study of the universe
• Science is the study of everything/many different things…
• Science is the study of biology, chemistry, physics…
• Science is the pursuit of knowledge…
• Science is magic explained…
• Science is an attempt to explain natural phenomena; the most
logical explanations become theories…

4. The Nature of Science
• Science is built on evidence that can be observed or
deduced from the natural world
• However, this evidence can sometimes be confusing and
conflicting
• Each new bit of evidence often creates more questions
than it answers

5. Scientific Method
• Using past experiences, what are steps or process to
scientific inquiry (scientific method)?

6. Traditional (simple,
non-linear) Model
of the Scientific
Process
• Misconceptions:
• The scientific process
ends.
• Conclusions are
definitive. The answer is
final.
• Expected results that
align with hypothesis are
definitive.
• Further experimentation
is only needed with
hypotheses that test
negative.

7. Complex Non-linear Model of the
Scientific Process

9. Hypothesis
• A prediction as to the outcome of an experiment.
• Requires knowledge gained either through
experience or research
• Should be accompanied with logical reasoning
• Example:
• If I do my science homework,
• then….
• because….

10. Independent Variable
• The factor that you are manipulating or changing
• Sample question: Does the colour of the wall
affect a person’s mood?

11. Dependent Variable
• The factor that is being measured or observed as
the independent variable is changed
• Sample question: Does the colour of the wall
affect a person’s mood?

12. Controlled Variables
• Factors that should remain consistent throughout
the experiment.
• The factors that are unchanged and constant.
• Can be structural/environmental or procedural.
• Sample question: Does the colour of the wall
affect a person’s mood?

13. Extraneous Variables (Errors)
• Factors that the experimenter did not or could not
control (hold constant)
• Sometimes referred to as “experimental errors”
Sample question: Does the colour of the wall
affect a person’s mood?