“How to Do Science”
Notes
A functional definition of science is the observation, identification, description, and explanation of natural phenomena.
The steps of the scientific method are Identifying the problem, stating the hypothesis, experimenting, Collecting data, and making a conclusion.
Making observations means just looking at, or studying things around you
Always ask questions about the observations you make. For example, why does a balloon full of helium float?
A Hypothesis is an educated guess that includes the words “if” and “then”. For example, IF I add vinegar to baking soda, THEN it will begin to bubble.
Scientific experiments are designed to examine one “variable” at a time
*Independent Variable- sometimes called the manipulated variable. This is what you are changing in the experiment.
*Dependent Variable- sometimes called the responding variable. This variable changes because you change the independent variable.
*Control variables- All the other factors in the experiment. These variables are never changed.
The data of a scientific experiment is collected in tables, graphs, charts, models, and diagrams
A conclusion is a judgment based on your observations and experimentation. For example, “vinegar and baking soda bubble when mixed because a chemical reaction has occurred.”
A prediction is what you think will happen.
Scientists “debate”, or argue all the time about different things. This is okay, because it allows many people to study the same thing and encourages us to seek the truth.
How To Do Science
Review
1. A judgement based on data gathered in an experiment is
a. A skill
b. A conclusion
c. A hypothesis
d. An observation
2. Scientists communicate their findings
a. Because they are bored
b. To share results and offer new perspectives
c. Because they were told to do so
d. But don’t want their experiments repeated
3. Researchers first communicate their discoveries through
a. Journals and conferences
b. The Internet
c. Television and radio
d. None of these
4. Keisha observed a goldfish in an outdoor pond. The goldfish seem to be more active when the weather is warm than when it is cold. She asks herself, “How do temperature changes affect goldfish?” If she were to do an experiment, which of the following would be the best hypothesis?
a. Do goldfish like warm water or cold water?
b. Goldfish are more active in warm water than in cold water.
c. Goldfish live in warm and cold water.
d. Temperature changes will kill goldfish.
5. A hypothesis is checked by
a. Research
b. Guessing
c. Experimentation
d. Researching the internet
6. Ryan noticed that his cola loses its carbonation as it warms. He knows that it is carbon dioxide that causes cola to fizz. Ryan decided to do a scientific experiment to research this phenomenon. What is the next step Ryan should take?
a. ask a question
b. draw a conclusion
c. make an observation
d. form a hypothesis
7. Quantitative data shows
a. the exact amount of something
b. the estimates used in computations
c. hypothetical questions
d. your observations
8. Sometimes, especially with great advances in modern science, observations are made with the help of power in instruments. In this case, we are able to “observe” phenomena that would normally be invisible to us. Can you name a few observations that a scientist might make using instrumentation?