Scientific inquiry involves posing questions about observations, developing testable hypotheses to answer these questions, and designing controlled experiments to test the hypotheses. Experiments manipulate one variable at a time while keeping all others constant. Scientists collect and analyze data, then draw conclusions about whether the data supports or rejects the original hypothesis. Results are communicated to others.

1. Scientific Inquiry

2. Posing Questions After making observations and inferences many scientists will find themselves posing questions based on their observation. Ex. Does the size of a shadow depend on the distance between the light and the object?

3. Developing Hypotheses Developing a testable hypothesis is the next step. A hypothesis is a possible answer to a scientific question or explanation for a set of observations. Hypotheses have to be able to be tested. Ex. Changing the distance between an object and a light source changes the size of the object’s shadow.

4. Developing Hypotheses Hypotheses are not facts . They must be tested with multiple experiments before they can be proved to be true or false.

5. Designing an Experiment Experiments are used to test a hypothesis. Variables are examined first A variable is a factor that can change in an experiment.

6. Designing an Experiment Only one variable should be changed at a time. That variable is known as the manipulated variable (or independent variable) The variable that we expect to change as a result of the manipulated variable is known as the responding variable (dependant variable).

7. Designing an Experiment All other variables must be kept constant . This type of experiment is known as a controlled experiment .

8. Collecting and Interpreting Data Data are the facts figures and other evidence gathered through observations. Graphs are used to interpret quantitative data because they reveal trends or patterns in the data.

9. Drawing Conclusions After interpreting data, scientists draw a conclusion about their hypothesis. A conclusion states whether or not the data supports the hypothesis . Sources of error and further experiments can also be discussed.

10. Communicating The act of sharing your process, ideas and conclusions with others through writing or speaking.