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The Scientific Method

Process of Science

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Ted Talk: David McCandlessThe Beauty of Data Visualizationhttp://youtu.be/5Zg-C8AAIGg

+Scientific Method

One of the goals of science is to answer questions about how the world works. Scientific explanations are based on natural

laws and are testable.

The scientific method illustrates the way in which science is done.

+Scientific Method

This simplified flow diagram of the scientific method shows the important components involved in a scientific study.

Observations

Hypothesis

Experiment/Observations

Conclusion

Scientific Theory

+Scientific Method

First is the observation phase, where new observations are made. This is also the time where previous data are

examined.

Next, a hypothesis is formulated to attempt to explain the available data and observations. A hypothesis must be testable!!!

+Scientific Method

The hypothesis is then tested through a series of experiments and/or observations. These experiments and observations must

be repeatable! The factual information resulting from these

experiments and observations is called data.

+Scientific Method

An important part of an experiment is the control, which is a replicate set up exactly like the experiment, except it does not have the factor being tested.

It is important to repeat an experiment exactly the same way many times. Replicates

+Scientific Method

Independent variable – the variable that you manipulate. Example – size of a food item.

Dependent variable – the variable that you will measure. Example – how long it takes to eat that food

item.

+Scientific Method

Scientists can then draw a conclusion based on the data. The conclusion may involve accepting or

rejecting the initial hypothesis. Further experiments may require an

adjustment to the conclusions. Hypotheses are said to be supported, but

not proven.

+Scientific Method

New hypotheses are generated from the conclusions, and the process starts again.

+Scientific Method

A theory results when a group of related hypotheses are supported by many experiments and observations. Theories are the ideas that scientists are

MOST SURE OF! Theory of gravity Theory of evolution

Scientific Method

The previous model is very simplified and the result is too linear.

The ‘activity model’ for the process of scientific inquiry shows the more complex interactions that are really involved.

Harwood, W. S. 2004. A new Model for Inquiry: is the Scientific Method Dead? Journal of College Science Teaching. 33(7): 29-33.

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You’ve worked hard – now do well on your exams!

Test-Taking Skills

+How to Predict Test Questions

Come up with as many questions as you can about the chapter heading in 2-3 minutes (who, what, where, when, why, how).

Then read the section looking for answers to those questions. Put answers on the other side of the page. Takes less time than reading the chapter multiple times. Helps you concentrate Provides you with a good study tool Helps you on the test

Ask questions about chapter headings.

+How to Predict Test Questions

Uses all the material in the chapter - not just headings. Fill in the blank questions based on

sentences in your book. True/False Questions

Creating your own study quizzes

+How to Predict Test Questions

Be careful! Don’t turn it into a social event.

Everyone makes study quizzes for a certain set of chapters and then exchange quizzes.

Then review each chapter quiz. If someone got one of the questions wrong, discuss the answers. Explain the answer to those that got it wrong.

Take home blank copies of the quizzes to practice later.

Come prepared to the study session! Be sure to have read all of the chapters, not just the ones you are preparing questions for.

Studying with a partner or group

+Preparing for Tests

Finish reading at least 3 days before test.

The last two days are for review and rest.

Problem #1 - Cramming - waiting until the last minute to study

+How to Predict Test Questions

How many questions will be on the test?

How much time will we be allowed for the test?

Text vs Lecture - where will questions come from?

Problem #2 - Lack of knowledge about the test

+How to Predict Test Questions

1/2 info is lost in the first 30 min after lecture - reviewing right after lecture helps!

We can remember 7 things really well at one time. When given a long list of terms, break it up into 7 items per page. Learn 7, take a break learn the next 7 and so on.

Problem #3 - So much material

+How to Predict Test Questions

Help is there for you! All you have to do is ask. Tutoring center, SI, study groups etc.

Problem #4 - Pride

+Test-Taking Skills

1) Don’t study the morning of the test (light review is fine if test is later in the day) unless you haven’t finished reading - then go ahead and try to get in as much as you can.

2) Arrive early (not too early or you will get anxious) Aim to get there 5-15 min early. Take a few deep breaths to relax before receiving the test.

3) Sit alone - avoid distraction. Don’t talk about the test right before.

General strategies (these won’t help if you didn’t study!):

+Test-Taking Skills

4) Preview the test - what kind of questions are there? How many?

5) Calculate - what time is the half-way point?

6) Go with your strength first - even if that means not starting at #1.

General strategies (these won’t help if you didn’t study!):

+Test-Taking Skills

Keywords can help you! 

Everyone, no one, always, every (100% qualifiers no exceptions) (usually false).

Frequently, most, some, few (in between qualifiers) (more often true).

Double negatives - cross out both negatives & read it.

T/F Questions

+Test-Taking Skills

Before you start writing, make a quick outline to guide your answer.

Things that drive teachers crazy: disorganized answers, not answering the whole question or not answering the actual question that was asked. 

Incorporate the question into the answer.

Develop your points.

Watch out for spelling and grammar errors.

Make it legible.

Essay tests

+Test-Taking Skills

Be a two handed test taker - cover choices with your left hand. Read the question and come up with the answer. THEN look for the answer in the list of choices.

Possible results: Your answer is there - yay! Not there - skip it and come back later Challenging - try to get it, then skip it Impossible - when you don’t recognize at all

Multiple Choice Tests

+Test-Taking Skills

Then go back through and answer the ones you skipped - on many of them you will come up with the answer.

The “impossible” ones will be left. Should be just a few.

Wait until the very end to answer the impossible ones. Then go ahead and guess.

Multiple Choice Tests

+Test-Taking Skills

The order is important so that you get to answer all the easy ones before running out of time.

Covering the choices first helps you avoid falling for trick questions. Come up with the answer first.

Be very aware of what number you are answering so you don’t mess up the scantron! 

Don’t panic! Even if you can’t answer the first several questions, skip & move on. Find something you know to warm up with. 

Multiple Choice Tests