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What is Science?What is Science?• ScienceScience refers to a method of learning
about the natural world, as well as to the knowledge gained through that process.
• Scientific InquiryScientific Inquiry refers to the diverse ways in which we try to answer questions and solve problems concerning the natural world.
• Observation:Observation: using the five senses to gather information.
• Inference:Inference: an interpretation based upon our observations.
Science is Always Evolving Science is Always Evolving (Changing)!(Changing)!
• Science changes as we acquire new information…and that makes sense! Doesn’t it?
• At one time it was a fact that Earth was flat. We’ve learned some stuff since then.
• This is why it is more accurate to use the terms supported or refuted rather than true or false.
• Objective Statement: a statement of fact.
• The game lasted three hours.
• Subjective Statement: a statement of opinion.
• The game lasted too long!
• Science is objective by nature.
Qualitative vs. QuantitativeQualitative vs. Quantitative
Qualitative Quantitative
Describes QUALITIES…•Purple•Acrid•Salty
Describes QUANTITY•14.745 cm•55 square meters•4 x 104 A.U.
The Scientific Method
1. Ask a question.
2. Develop a hypothesis (If/Then).
3. Experimenting and testing.
4. Collect and organize data.
5. Analyze data.
6. Draw conclusions (substantiate or refute).
7. Retest.
•A HypothesisHypothesis: a possible explanation for observations relating to a scientific question.
•A hypothesis makes a prediction!
•Hypotheses are tested by conducting controlled controlled experimentsexperiments. In this type of experiment, scientists determine how one particular variable affects the outcome.
A Valid Scientific Hypothesis Must A Valid Scientific Hypothesis Must Be Testable!Be Testable!
• If you can’t design an experiment to test a hypothesis…it’s not useful.
• If you develop a hypothesis, test it, and it’s not supported…that’s OK! You’ve still learned from it.
•We test hypotheses using controlled experiments.
• Variable: a factor that can change in an experiment. There are three types…but you knew that right
1.1. Manipulated or Independent Manipulated or Independent Variable:Variable: changed by the scientist (dats you!). You only want ONE of these!
2.2. Responding or Dependent Responding or Dependent VariableVariable:: changes because of the manipulated variable.
3.3. Controlled VariablesControlled Variables: These stay the same during an experiment.
Data are the facts figures and other evidence gained through observation
VariablesVariables• Manipulated or
Independent Variable
• changed or controlled by the scientist.
• Example: The amount of water (in ml) given to a plant daily.
• Responding or Dependent Variable
• changes because of the manipulated variable.
• Example: The measured daily growth of the plant (in cm).
Test Yourself!1. Why don’t we want to have
more than one manipulated/independent
variable in a controlled experiment?
2. What is true of a valid scientific hypothesis?
3. Design an experiment and list your manipulated, responding,
and controlled variables.
Scientific TheoryScientific Theory• A theory is NOT the same as a hypothesis. You’d
be amazed at how many folks don’t understand that…you will not be one of those folks!
• A theory is an explanation for a set of related observations or events based upon proven hypotheses.
• It’s verified over and over by detached groups of researchers (WELL-TESTED).
• In other words…it has been subjected to rigorous testing…everywhere…and the evidence always supports it!
• One scientist cannot create a theory; he/she can only develop a hypothesis.
In general, both a scientific theory and a
scientific law are accepted to be “true” by the scientific community
as a whole. Both are used to make predictions
of events.
Theory v LawTheory v Law
• Ok…it’s like this…a theory ties together (it’s unifying) many related facts, observations, supported hypotheses. It EXPLAINS WHY THINGS HAPPEN, and allows us to make predictions.
• A Law also ties this type of information together, and allows us to make predictions, BUT…IT DOES NOT EXPLAIN WHY?
Check Your HeadCheck Your Head((Take a moment and answer Take a moment and answer
these in your notebook.)these in your notebook.)
1.Why is it inaccurate to say that a scientific theory is “just a theory?”
2.Can one scientist develop a theory on his/her own? Explain please!
Scientific ModelsScientific ModelsRepresentations of objects or systemsRepresentations of objects or systems
1st Type: Physical- An actual 3-D imitation that can be studied.
Limitation: Not exactly like the real thing…for example…a plastic model of a temperate forest doesn’t actually have living inhabitants that interact.
Physical ModelPhysical Model
2nd Type: Mathematical-Numbers, Data, Equations…if you have certain data, you can “plug it into” the model and make PREDICTIONS.
Limitation: It still isn’t the actual event…it’s a prediction and predictions can be wrong.
Mathematical ModelMathematical Model
3rd Type: Conceptual-qualitative models that help to diagram important interrelationships among processes and systems that we study.
Limitation: Again…not the real thing…but helps us understand the real thing.
Conceptual ModelConceptual Model