The document discusses scientific inquiry and experimental design. It explains that the scientific method involves stating a problem, forming a hypothesis, conducting procedures and experiments, analyzing results, and drawing conclusions. It then contrasts experimental design with the scientific method, noting they are similar but experimental design focuses more on research questions, formulating hypotheses, careful observation, data gathering and analysis, and identifying patterns in data. The document provides examples of descriptive investigations and experimental research design, and gives the example of an experimental design study on whether plants grow better with coke or water as the independent variable.

1. Scientific Inquiry &
Experimental Design
How do we solve problems in science?

2. The scientific method…
 State the problem
 Form a hypothesis
 Procedure
 Results
 Conclusion
Let’s have a more in depth look at what scientist actually use
and more scientific terminology.

3. Experimental Design vs. Scientific
Method
Experimental Design Scientific Method
 Research Question  State the problem
 Formulating Hypothesis  Form a hypothesis
 Careful Observation  Procedure
 Data Gathering  Results
 Analysis of Data  Conclusion
 Identifying patterns in the
data

4. Types of Experimental Design
 Different research questions require
different experimental designs.
 Descriptive Investigations
 Experimental Research Design

5. Descriptive Investigations
 An investigation used to explore questions in environmental
conditions you cannot control.
 Ex. Jane Goodall’s study of chimpanzees.
 Picture hyperlinked to: www.janegoodall.org/media/videos
 A hypothesis is not required in these investigations.

6. Experimental Research Design
 Can be used when focused on a single variable.
 Conditions can be controlled.
 Determines the cause of a problem.
 Ex.: Thumb Wars

7. Experimental Research Design:
Thumb Wars
1. Research Question
2. Hypothesis
3. Gathering Data
4. Data Analysis
 Patterns in the data
6. One variable tested: thumb length

8. Experimental Research Design
Research Question: Do plants grow better in coke or water?

9. Do plants grow better in coke or water?
 Research Question: Do plants grow better in coke or water?
 Hypothesis Ex: Plants will grow better in water because
plants need water to live.
 Gathering Data: Controlled experiment with one
independent variable.
 Independent Variable: Type of liquid given to plants
 Dependent Variable: Measured growth of each plant
 Constants: Conditions kept the same (such as amount of liquid,
type of plant, soil, amount of sunlight)

10. Do plants grow better in coke or water?
(cont.)
 Analysis of Data : Using graphs/tables to find trends in the
data.