Class Notes

Homework

 

 

Chapter one: Science skills

 

Notes for chapter one section 1.2: Steps of the scientific method.

A. Overview of the Scientific Method

  1. The scientific method is a process for experimentation that is used to explore observations and answer questions.
  2. Scientists use the scientific method to search for cause and effect relationships in nature.
  3. In other words, they design an experiment so that changes to one item cause something else to vary in a predictable way                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

4.      Just as it does for a professional scientist, the scientific method will help you to focus your science fair project question, construct a hypothesis, design, execute, and evaluate your experiment.

 

B. Key Information

  1. The scientific method is a way to ask and answer scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments.
  2. The steps in the scientific method are:
    • Make observation
    • Ask question
    • Develop hypothesis
    • Test hypothesis with experiment
    • Analyze data and draw conclusions

 

C. Making Observation

  1. Scientific investigation begins with observation.
  2. An observation is information which is obtained through the senses.
  3. Repeatable observations are called facts.

 

D. Hypothesis

  1. A hypothesis is a proposed answer to a question which may or may not be true.
  2. For a hypothesis to be usable it must be tested

 

C. Test hypothesis

1.      A hypothesis is tested through the use of an experiment.

2.      In an experiment any factor that can change is called a variable.

 

D. Drawing conclusions

  1. Once your experiment is complete, you collect your measurements and analyze them to see if your hypothesis is true or false.
  2. Scientists often find their hypothesis was false, and in such cases they will construct a new hypothesis starting the entire process over again.

 

Chapter one: Vocabulary words for section 1.2.

 

Study the definition for the vocabulary words listed below: See notebook.

 

A. Monday

1.      Scientific method

2.      Observation

3.      Hypothesis

 

B. Tuesday

  1. Manipulated
  2. Responding variable
  3. Controlled experiment

 

C. Wednesday

  1. .Scientific theory
  2. Scientific law
  3. Model