The scientific process involves critical thinking skills such as observation, experimentation, and inference that are useful for understanding phenomena in science and everyday life. Observation can be qualitative, identifying properties, or quantitative, involving measurement. Experiments test hypotheses by manipulating variables and noting dependent variable effects. Inquiry integrates these skills by asking questions, planning procedures, collecting data, and drawing conclusions to systematically understand the world.

2. Science process is not just useful in science, but in any
situation that requires critical thinking.

6. The Process of observing can be:
Qualitative – this is identifying and naming the
properties of an object such as its shape, color,
size, texture, smell, and sound.
Quantitative – This kind of observation involves
measurement.

12. How do you think this boy
feels about the dinner?

13. Examples of Observation vs. Inference
Observation
The ice cream melted.
Inference:
Heat causes it to melt.

17. 7. EXPERIMENTING
Testing a hypothesis through the
manipulation and control of
independent variables and noting the
effects on a dependent variable
Interpreting and presenting results in
the form of a report that others can
follow to replicate the experiment
Integrated process skill

18. Inquiry
Skills necessary to carry out the
process of scientific or systematic
thinking
Includes the opportunity to…
Ask a question
Formulate a procedure
Gather empirical data
Draw conclusions based on data

19. The steps in conducting scientific method