The document outlines the process of scientific inquiry which involves posing questions, developing hypotheses, designing experiments, collecting and interpreting data, drawing conclusions, and communicating findings. It explains key aspects of the scientific method such as variables, controls, and operational definitions. The goal is to propose explanations for natural phenomena through gathering evidence in a credible and systematic manner.

1. Chapter 1 What is Life Science?
Section 3:
Scientific Inquiry
scientific inquiry: the diverse ways in which
scientists investigate the natural world and
propose explanations based on the evidence
they gather

2. Chapter 1 What is Life Science?
The Process of
Scientific Inquiry
1. Pose a Question
• Ask a question based on experiences from
observations and inferences.
• Scientific inquiry can’t answer questions about
personal taste or judgments.

3. Chapter 1 What is Life Science?
The Process of
Scientific Inquiry
2. Develop a Hypothesis
• hypothesis: a possible explanation for a set of
observations or answer to a scientific question
• Hypothesis must be testable, which means a
scientist must be able to carry out investigations and
gather evidence that will either support or disprove a
hypothesis
• Many trials trial may need to be run to prove a
hypothesis right or wrong

4. Chapter 1 What is Life Science?
The Process of
Scientific Inquiry
3. Design an Experiment
• Define the Variable
• Variable: factor that can change in an experiment
• All variables must be the same except one to make
the experiment credible
• Controlled experiment: an experiment in which only
one variable is changed anytime

5. Chapter 1 What is Life Science?
The Process of
Scientific Inquiry
3. Design an Experiment (continued)
• manipulated variable: the variable that is changed,
a.k.a.: independent variable
• Responding variable: the variable that is affected by
the manipulated variable, a.k.a. dependent variable

6. Chapter 1 What is Life Science?
The Process of
Scientific Inquiry
3. Design an Experiment (continued)
• Control: part of the experiment to which you can
compare the results of other tests
• The control group has no manipulated variables
• Operational definition: a statement that describes
how to measure a variable or define a term

7. Chapter 1 What is Life Science?
The Process of
Scientific Inquiry
4. Collecting and Interpreting Data
• data: the facts, figures and other evidence gathered
through observations
• Can be in the form of a table, a graph or a list

8. Chapter 1 What is Life Science?
The Process of
Scientific Inquiry
5. Draw Conclusions
• conclusion is a summary of what you have learned
from the experiment
• You must support or disprove your hypothesis with
evidence
• this is the answer to “why?”

9. Chapter 1 What is Life Science?
The Process of
Scientific Inquiry
6. Communication
• Communicating: sharing of ideas and experimental
findings with others through writing
• Lab reports or published results

10. Chapter 1 What is Life Science?
Collecting and Interpreting Data
A data table helps you organize
the information you collect in
an experiment. Graphing the
data may reveal any patterns in
your data.

11. Chapter 1 What is Life Science?
The Nature of Inquiry
There is no set path that a scientific inquiry must follow.
Pose Questions
Communicate
Draw
Conclusions
Form a
Hypothesis
Design an
Experiment
Collect and
Interpret Data