1. Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
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2. A Process for Science
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Start with a Question
• A scientific investigation always begins with a
question.
• Scientists observe the world and then ask
questions based on their observations.
Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?

3. Plan an Investigation
• Scientific methods are ways that scientists
perform investigations.
• Investigations can be planned once a scientist has
a testable question.
• There are many different scientific methods for
investigating the world.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?

4. Investigations Differ
• The method a scientist uses to conduct an
investigation depends on the question being
investigated.
• An investigation in which all of the conditions are
controlled is called an experiment.
• Models are used to represent real objects or
processes, and repeated observations are used to
study processes in nature without disturbing them.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?

5. Drawing Conclusions
• Whatever scientific methods are used, scientists
will have results they can use to draw conclusions.
• Conclusions can answer the question scientists
asked before they began.
• Conclusions may also point to other questions and
provide ideas for more investigations.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?

6. Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Explosive Observations
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• Some science questions are too big, too far away,
or too uncontrollable for experiments.
• Repeated observations can help answer these
questions and can help predict future events.

7. Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Explosive Observations
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• How do scientists predict the locations of future
volcanic eruptions?

8. Super Models
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When Modeling Is Needed
• Scientists use models when they cannot
experiment with the real thing.
• Scientists draw conclusions and make predictions
by studying their models.
Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?

9. Super Models
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Types of Models
• Physical models simulate a real object or event.
• Computer simulation models show future or past
events.
• Drawing diagrams and flow charts show how ideas
are related.
Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?

10. How to Excel in Experimentation
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Ask Questions
• Scientific questions can be answered by doing
experiments. An experiment tests a hypothesis.
• Make observations before stating a hypothesis.
Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?

11. Hypothesize
• A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested
and explains what can happen in an investigation.
• You can form a hypothesis by thinking about what
you already know, talking to other people, and
doing research.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
How to Excel in Experimentation

12. Design an Experiment
• Experiments can have two or more setups for
comparing results.
• Variables are any conditions in an experiment
that can be changed. Most experiments have
many variables, but only one is tested.
• The control is the setup to which all other setups
will be compared.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
How to Excel in Experimentation

13. Carry Out the Procedure
• A procedure is the steps scientists follow in an
experiment.
• Procedures are often repeated.
• Repeating procedures gives scientists more
evidence to support their conclusions.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
How to Excel in Experimentation

14. Record and Analyze Data
• Recording data correctly is important. There are
many ways to record data.
• Once data are recorded, you can analyze the
results to draw conclusions.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
How to Excel in Experimentation

15. Draw Conclusions and Evaluate the
Hypothesis
• All conclusions must be supported with evidence
in order to have a stronger conclusion.
• Once you’ve reached a conclusion, evaluate your
hypothesis to determine if it is supported.
• Scientists build on what they learn by rethinking
their hypothesis or designing new experiments.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
How to Excel in Experimentation

16. Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Special Delivery: Data Displays
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• Line graphs show change over time.
• Circle graphs compare parts to the whole.

17. Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Special Delivery: Data Displays
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• Diagrams show data that do not include numbers.
• Bar graphs compare things or groups of things.