Research and the Scientific Method

Ch. 1-1 & 1-2 p. 3-15 Mrs. Fasolino

2 Types of Data
1. Quantitative
Controlled experiments that result in counts and measurements. Always uses SI units (metric system) of measurement Ex: Measuring plant growth in centimeters

2. Qualitative
Research based on observations and written descriptions Ex: Animal behavior, the color of flowers, animals reactions to the environment. Inference = logical interpretation of data

(International System of Units)

Quantity Mass measure of matter (does not change) Length distance from one point to another Volume amount of space an object occupies Time period between 2 events Temp. amount of heat in something Basic Unit gram meter liter seconds Celsius

SI System of Measurement
Abbrev. g m l s C

SI System Continued
Celsius Scale 100C = boiling 0C =freezing 37C = body temp. Weight measure of force of gravity on an object. (Changes depending on the objects location.)
SI Prefixes
Prefix KiloHectoDecaDeciCentimilli Symbol K H D d c m Meaning thousand hundred ten tenth hundredth thousandth Multiple of base unit x 1000 x 100 x 10 x 0.1 x 0.01 x 0.001

The Scientific Method

Much of research is solving problems Scientists use a series of steps to solve problems called

scientific method.

You use scientific method everyday Its common sense!!

Steps of Scientific Method

1. State the Problem
Through observation a problem is recognized (Ex: Will fertilizer make a plant grow taller?)

2. Form a Hypothesis

An educated guess or statement that explains the problem. MUST BE TESTABLE! Based on research of the problem not a shot in the dark. (Ex: If the plant is given fertilizer, it will grow taller than a plant without fertilizer, because fertilizer contains nutrients.)

Steps of Scientific Method Cont

3. Experiment
Tests a hypothesis using a series of steps with controlled conditions. Contains 2 Groups: Control Group all conditions are the same (Ex: plants given only water) Experimental Group all conditions are the same as the control group EXCEPT the one being tested. (Ex: plants given water + fertilizer) Experimental group has ONE different VARIABLE Experiments should only test one variable at a time. During the experiment DATA is collected or recorded. (Measurements or observations)

Manipulated vs.Responding Variables

Variable something that causes the changes observed in an experiment.

Two Types of variables: Manipulated (Independent) Variable change made by the experimenter. (Ex: using fertilizer) Measured on X-axis on a graph
Responding (Dependent) Variable change caused by the independent variable (Ex: plant growth changes with the addition of fertilizer) Measured on Y-axis on a graph

Steps of Scientific Method Cont

4. Analysis
Looking at the data and what it means. May use spreadsheets and graphs (Ex: Graphing the growth of the two groups of plants.)

5. Conclusion

Was the hypothesis supported/refuted by the data? Need to state specific evidence May lead to another hypothesis (Ex: Based on the graph the plants with fertilizer grew better than the plants without)

Reporting Results
Repetition of an experiment with the same results strengthens the results (makes them more VALID) A hypothesis that has been tested again and again by many scientists with the same results each time is called a scientific THEORY. Ex: Evolutionary Theory

A theory that has been tested many times and NEVER disproved is called a scientific LAW. Ex: Law of Gravity

Pure Science Vs.Technology

Pure Science study carried out mainly for the sake of knowledge with no immediate interest in applying results to daily living. Applied Science the use of scientific discoveries to solve everyday problems. Applies the results of research to help improve daily living, usually by developing technology. Knowledge gained through science is never inherently good or bad. --- this is determined by human social, ethical, and moral concerns.