Scientific Method (Grade 7 Science)
conclusion
A conclusion is an interpretation or an analysis of the data. Often, one or more graphs can greatly help in interpreting the data obtained in an experiment. A conclusion is also a determination of whether or not the data support the hypothesis. Since data never actually prove a hypothesis, the conclusion never states the hypothesis is true, only that the evidence supports the hypothesis.
An investigative question is a question about nature that can be answered by performing an experiment or scientific study or identify a problem clearly.
An investigative question is a question about nature that can be answered by performing an experiment or scientific study or identify a problem clearly.
Inferences explain what is happening or what has happened. Predictions of what might happen.
Inferences explain what is happening or what has happened. Predictions of what might happen.
Predicting means making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence.
Predicting means making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence.
controlled variable
are factors that could have affected the outcome of an experiment, but they were made the same for both groups.
controlled variables
are factors that could have affected the outcome of an experiment, but they were made the same for both groups. The two groups must be made the same in every possible way except one in order to narrow down the possible cause of the results.
Classifying
the process of grouping together items that are alike in some way.
inference
the process of inference, an interpretation based on observation and prior knowledge.
theory
explains some process or principle of nature such as the cell theory
law
is a statement of observed experimental facts; a rule of nature
conclusion
is an interpretation or analysis of the data to see if it supports the hypothesis.
scientific method
is an orderly process that a scientist performs in order to answer a question about the natural world.
scientific method
is the carefully controlled process that scientists use to solve scientific problems or answer investigative questions.
procedure
is the steps a scientist goes through to perform an experiment.
Observations can be either quantitative or qualitative.
Observations can be either quantitative or qualitative
qualitative observations
observations that deal with descriptions that cannot be expressed in numbers.
quantitative observations
observations that deal with noticing a number or an amount.
Perform an experiment. An experiment has a procedure. The procedure should be very detailed, clearly stated, and complete so that all scientists will perform the experiment exactly the same way every time. The correct experimental method should be followed.
Perform an experiment. An experiment has a procedure. The procedure should be very detailed, clearly stated, and complete so that all scientists will perform the experiment exactly the same way every time. The correct experimental method should be followed
Predictions and inferences are similar but are different.
Predictions and inferences are similar but are different.
Predictions are not always correct.
Predictions are not always correct.
Science is a way of learning about the natural world and all of the knowledge gained by exploring the natural world.
Science is a way of learning about the natural world and all of the knowledge gained by exploring the natural world.
Scientific Method Step 2: Collect info about the question by making observations and/or research. Observations are any info obtained through one's senses.
Scientific Method Step 2: Collect info about the question by making observations and/or research. Observations are any info obtained through one's senses.
Scientific Method Step 5: Collect and record the data from the experiment (data are any observations made during or at the end of the experiment.)
Scientific Method Step 5: Collect and record the date from the experiment (data are any observations made during or at the end of the experiment.)
Scientific Method Step 6: Draw a conclusion about the hypothesis using the data. A conclusion is an interpretation or analysis of the data to see if it supports the hypothesis. It's a type of inference.
Scientific Method Step 6: Draw a conclusion about the hypothesis using the data. A conclusion is an interpretation or analysis of the data to see if it supports the hypothesis. It's a type of inference.
Scientific Method Step 7: Publish the data and conclusions and/or repeat the experiment.
Scientific Method Step 7: Publish the data and conclusions and/or repeat the experiment.
Scientific Method Step 1: Ask an investigative question (a question about nature that can be answered by performing an experiment or doing a scientific study.)
Scientific Method Step 1: Ask an investigative question (a question about nature that can be answered by performing an experiment or doing a scientific study.)
Scientific Method Step 3: Make a hypothesis ( a possible answer to an investigative question: a tentative answer to a scientific problem; a testable prediction.)
Scientific Method Step 3: Make a hypothesis ( a possible answer to an investigative question: a tentative answer to a scientific problem; a testable prediction.)
Scientific Method Step 4: Do an experiment to test the hypothesis. An experiment is a scientific test of a hypothesis.
Scientific Method Step 4: Do an experiment to test the hypothesis. An experiment is a scientific test of a hypothesis.
experimental group
part of the experiment that contains the manipulated variable. It is usually the group we are interested in because it contains the factor we are testing. The control and the experimental group must be alike in every way except one in order the experiment to be valid.
Form a hypothesis that answers the investigative question and which is testable.
Form a hypothesis that answers the investigative question and which is testable.
investigative question
a question about nature that can be answered by performing an experiment or doing a scientific study.
experiment
a scientific test of a hypothesis
operation definition
a statement that describes how to measure a particular variable or how to define a particular term.
manipulated or independent variable
is a factor or condition that is the one thing different between the control and the experimental group.
experimental group
the part of the experiment that contains the manipulated variable
control or control group
the part of the experiment that is used as a comparison
control group (control)
the part of the experiment that is used as a comparison. It is needed so we can compare what actually happened in the experiment with what could have happened under "normal" circumstances. Without a control group, we could never be sure that the results of the experiment would not have happened anyway.
responding (or dependent) variable or results
the results of the experiment.
responding variable
(also called the dependent variable) is really just the results of the experiment. If, at the end of an experiment, there is a difference between the results of the control and the results of the experimental group, then it is logical to assume that the manipulated variable caused it. In other words, the manipulated variable is the cause and the responding variable is the results.
manipulated variable
(is also called the independent or experiment variable) is a factor or condition that is the one thing different between the control and the experimental group. It is the factor we are testing in an experiment to see if it causes an effect on the experimental group. If there is more that one thing different between the control and the experimental group (i.e., more than one manipulated variable), we cannot know which variable caused the difference in the results of the two groups. If there is only one possible reason for the difference in the two groups at the end of an experiment, then that reason must be the cause of the different results.
Make observations and record the date. Observations are information obtained through your senses, with or without the aid of tools. Data are observations made during an experiment. They may be recorded in a chart, a graph, a paragraph, or a drawing depending on which format is most suitable for the data.
Make observations and record the date. Observations are information obtained through your senses, with or without the aid of tools. Data are observations made during an experiment. They may be recorded in a chart, a graph, a paragraph, or a drawing depending on which format is most suitable for the data.
Successful scientists posses certain important attitudes, or habits of mind, including curiosity, honesty, open-mindedness, skepticism, and creativity.
Successful scientists posses certain important attitudes, or habits of mind, including curiosity, honesty, open-mindedness, skepticism, and creativity.
The procedure is the steps a scientist goes through to perform an experiment.
The procedure is the steps a scientist goes through to perform an experiment.
The scientific method is an orderly process that a scientist performs in order to answer a question about the natural world.
The scientific method is an orderly process that a scientist performs in order to answer a question about the natural world.
When you explain or interpret the things you observe, your are inferring, or making an inference.
When you explain or interpret the things you observe, your are inferring, or making an inference.
hypothesis
a possible answer to an investigative question; a tentative answer to a scientific problem; a testable prediction.
observation
are any info obtained through one's senses.
data
facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations.
data
(observations or measurements made during an experiment). Observations are very different from inferences. Measurements and observations should be made with great accuracy and neatly recorded in the most appropriate format (often, some type of chart). The data can be thought of as the results of the experiment. There are two types of observations: A) Quantitative observations - observations involving measurements or counting. B) Qualitative observations - observations involving verbal descriptions.
Classifying things helps you to stay organized so you can easily find and use them later.
Classifying things helps you to stay organized so you can easily find and use them later.
Collect information about the problem by making observations or doing research. Observations may be done even before an investigative question is asked.
Collect information about the problem by making observations or doing research. Observations may be done even before an investigative question is asked.
Draw a conclusion about the hypothesis by analyzing or evaluating the data obtained in the experiment to see if they support the hypothesis. To evaluate the data, look for patters or relationships. The conclusion is an interpretation or evaluation of the results of the experiment and a determination of whether there is or is not evidence to support the hypothesis.
Draw a conclusion about the hypothesis by analyzing or evaluating the data obtained in the experiment to see if they support the hypothesis. To evaluate the data, look for patters or relationships. The conclusion is an interpretation or evaluation of the results of the experiment and a determination of whether there is or is not evidence to support the hypothesis.
Making an inference doesn't mean guessing wildly. Inferences are based on reasoning from what you already know.
Making an inference doesn't mean guessing wildly. Inferences are based on reasoning from what you already know.
Making models involves creating representations of complex objects or processes.
Making models involves creating representations of complex objects or processes.
Models help people study and understand things that are complex or that can't be observed directly.
Models help people study and understand things that are complex or that can't be observed directly.
Report the results and conclusions of the experiment. Scientists do this by publishing articles about their research in scientific journals.
Report the results and conclusions of the experiment. Scientists do this by publishing articles about their research in scientific journals.
Scientists use skills such as observing, inferring, predicting, classifying, and making models to learn more about the world.
Scientists use skills such as observing, inferring, predicting, classifying, and making models to learn more about the world.
While conducting experiments scientists often vary the order of the steps of the scientific method.
While conducting experiments scientists often vary the order of the steps of the scientific method.
