Scientific Skills and Method

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Scientific Skills and Method
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Observation

• Involves one or more of the senses
• Sight
• Smell
• Touch
• Hearing
• Taste

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When observing, always

• 1. Time and date observations
• 2. List what is to be observed
• 3. Record observations at the time they were
  made
• 4. Make both quantitative and qualitative
  observations.

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Quantitative and Qualitative observations.

• Quantitativeobservations involving measurements
• Qualitativeobservations of properties such as
  texture (comparing to known).

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Describe

• Give an account in words

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Inferring

• make a reasonable guess to explain observed events

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Predicting

• form an idea or a result after studying the
  evidence

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Hypothesizing

• Make an educated guess as to a solution for a
  problem

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Classifying

• Group objects or events according to some method

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Collecting Data

• Gathering information in a systematic way

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Communicating

• Use words, pictures, and diagrams to share
  information

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Variables

• Things that can be changed are called variables.
• Select only one thing to change in each
  experiment. All other factors should stay
  constant (the same).

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Defining Operationally

• State information about an object or event based
  on use.

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Demonstrate

• To show by evidence or reasoning to explain by
  use of example

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Estimating

• Use judgment to state how much, how long, how many

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Experiment

• A design to solve a problem or answer a question
  use of a control group and adequate sample sizes
  should be used

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Identify

• To associate with a group specifically state
  what the investigator is attempting to find out

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Interpreting Data

• Explain information found in graphs, tables, or
  diagrams to clarify meaning by explanation
  and/or restating

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Making a Graph

• Use diagrams such as line, bar, or pie graphs to
  show quantities

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Making Models

• Construct real or mental representations to
  explain ideas, objects, or events

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Manipulate

• To control or operate
• hands-on

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Measuring

• using metric units to describe objects or
  observations

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Scientific Method

• A series of steps that is used to find answers to
  questions about the world around us.

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1. Identify the problem

• It must be written as a QUESTION
• What are you trying to find out?
• Only ask one question.
• The question must be able to be tested and
  measured.

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2. Research

• Gather more information
• You can look for prior research in the library
• You can ask people who know about the topic
  (teacher)
• Use the information to form a hypothesis you
  dont always write down your research.

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3. Form the Hypothesis

• Should be written as an if/then statement
• Example If food coloring is added to the water,
  then the flowers petals will change colors.
• This is a prediction of what will happen in an
  experiment and should be based on your research
  and observations

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4. Design Experiment and Gather Materials

• Develop a numbered procedure. Use complete
  sentences.
• List materials needed in a column (no numbers,
  capitalize name brands only)

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5. Conduct Experiment

• Follow the steps in your procedure
• Record data and observations using the Metric
  System

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6. Analyze Data

• Is the data reliable?
• Does it support your hypothesis?
• Record your data on graphs and charts.

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7. Draw Conclusions

• Answer the problem.
• Was your hypothesis correct? Why or why not? Be
  specific.

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CPS Quiz Decide the step of the Scientific
method that each statement is describing.

• The step where you list all the materials needed
  for the experiment.
• Decide if your hypothesis is correct.
• Record data on charts and graphs.
• Ask only one question.
• Write an if then statement.
• Gather information about your experiment
  probably from your teacher or lab sheet.
• Follow steps in the procedure.

• research
• analyze data
• draw conclusions
• identify the problem
• design the experiment
• form the hypothesis
• conduct the experiment