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Topic: Scientific Method Learning Objective/Outcome Topic: Scientific Method Learning Objective/Outcome: Keywords/Questions Notes What is the scientific A logical problem-solving approach used by scientists. method? Do scientists always No. The exact steps may vary depending on the problem being addressed by follow the scientific the scientists. Steps may be repeated, modified, or reordered, although method exactly as it scientists generally follow the same basic process. is written? What are the steps of Question, research, hypothesis, experiment, analyze data, conclusion, and the scientific communicate. method? What is the point of To clearly define the purpose of the investigation by stating what question asking a question at should be answered or what problem should be solved. the start of a scientific investigation? Should the question It should be very specific. be broad or specific? What is the problem There may be too many unknowns to test the question easily. with asking a very broad question? Why is it important to To determine what others have already discovered about your question. conduct background research? What kinds of sources A wide variety of reliable sources should be used. This may include books, should be used in magazines, newspapers, journals, and websites. research? Do all sources need to Yes, all sources that you use to carry out your investigation should be be documented? documented to avoid plagiarism. What is a hypothesis? A possible explanation based on knowledge, observations, and background research. What qualities should It should a clear, simple, and testable statement. a good hypothesis have? What are the three If…then statements, correlation statements, and comparison statements. ways a hypothesis can be written? Can a hypothesis be No, a hypothesis is never right or wrong. It is either supported or rejected by wrong? the experimental data. Should a hypothesis No! A rejected hypothesis can provide important information about a be changed if the scientist’s question. experimental results don’t support it? What is an A detailed procedure designed and carried out to test a hypothesis. experiment? Besides describing The amounts and types of material used in testing should be included. how to perform the experiment, what important information should a procedure contain? How detailed should It should be as detailed as needed for another scientist to be able to an experimental duplicate the experiment exactly. procedure be? What are variables? The things that change in an experiment. What is the The variable being tested or changed by the scientist. independent or manipulated variable? Why do scientists It helps ensure that the results in the experiment are due to that one generally only have variable. one independent variable at a time? What is a dependent The factor that the scientist measures or observes to see how it responds to or responding the independent variable. variable? What does it mean if There may be a cause and effect relationship. there is a direct link between an independent variable and dependent variable? Can there be more Yes. However, there should only be one independent variable. than one dependent variable in an experiment? What is a controlled Factors that a scientist keeps constant in the experiment. variable? Why is it important to It enables the scientist to ensure that results are due only to the have controls? independent variable. What are data? The results of the experiment. What kind of Measurements such as time, temperature, mass, etc. and/or observations. information can be considered data? How can data be In science journals, data tables, charts, and graphs. recorded accurately? Why should data be This makes it easier to identify patterns or trends, make predictions, and recorded in an draw conclusions. organized and accurate manner? Why do scientists To determine its meaning in relation to the original question or problem. analyze data? How do scientists They look for differences in the dependent variable between the control and analyze data? test groups. What does it mean if The independent variable may have had an effect. differences exist in the dependent variables between the control and test groups? What does it mean if The independent variable probably has no effect. NO differences exist in the dependent variables between the control and test groups? What is a conclusion? A statement based on measurements and observations made in the experiment. What elements It should include a summary of results, whether the hypothesis was should a conclusion supported by the data, the significance of the study, and future research. include? Why do scientists To advance the knowledge and understanding of the scientific community communicate their and because it improves future investigations. results? What are some ways Journals, magazines, websites, television, radio PSAs, in-person lectures, and scientists may choose poster sessions. to communicate their results and conclusions? Summary There are seven steps to the scientific method: Question, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Analysis, Conclusion, and Communication. Although scientists may modify, reorder, or revisit steps on occasion, scientists generally use this basic logical approach. .
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