Chapter 2 Notes
Ms. Sager
Science as Inquiry
• What is Science?
– Word derived from Latin – means “to know”
– A way of knowing
– How to answer questions about the real world.
– Main point of it – Inquiry – Asking questions and
getting answers – A process of investigation to
find answers to questions.
Observations & Data
• Observations – The use of the senses to gather
and record information about structures or
processes.
• Data – Observations that are recorded (Items of
information).
• Instruments help do this
• Quantitative data(Quantity) – These are
measurements from Metric System (# of grams,
etc…)
• Qualitative data (Quality) – These are
descriptions about things. Must be easy to read
and organized.
Discovery Science
• Also called Descriptive Science
• This is where you observe and collect data to
describe natural processes or structures.
• Can happen by accident – Ex: Alexander
Fleming discovering Penicillin in a culture dish.
Inferences in Science
• Inference – A logical conclusion based on
observations.
• Ex: Someone is at the front door when the
doorbell rings.
• Help refine general questions into specific
questions (Take observations a step further).
• Can be uncertain at times, as other things may
cause things to happen. Ex: Doorbell rings due
to electrical short.
Generalizations of Science
• Generalization – A general conclusion about
something that is reached by putting together
specific observations.
• Ex: Seeing that both plants and animals are
made up of cells.
• Can also occur from numerical data (Graphs)
(Quantitative data). Put everything together to
come up with an idea about what is
happening.
• Helps create averages.
Methods of Hypotheses
• The Scientific Method – This is the process
from Observing to Questioning to creating a
Hypothesis to Predicting to testing the
Hypothesis.
• Remember, if your test does not work, you
have to go back and re-write your Hypothesis.
• If the Hypothesis works, you can do additional
testing to support it.
Hypotheses
• Hypothesis – A suggested answer to a welldefined scientific question. (trying out an
explanation).
• Concerned with natural phenomena such as why
plants react to sunlight.
• Based on past experience or knowledge gained
from discovery science.
• Hypotheses help you to predict things that might
happen, then test those ideas.
• Is written as an If…Then statement.
• Can lead to discovery of new ideas.
Case Study
• If you research a Case Study, you may be able to
learn more about a Hypothesis.
• This may involve reading about and doing
fieldwork and working with other scientists to
prove a question asked.
• Ex: Mimicry of animals to confuse predators
• Variable – Any condition that can be different
within an experiment.
• Controlled experiment – An experiment that test
the effect of only 1 variable. In this experiment,
you try to control anything that can affect the
outcome of the experiment.
• Ex: Control temperature, light, heat, water, etc…
Case Study (Con’t)
• To control any experiment, you can divide the
subjects into two groups:
– Control group – The group that nothing is done to
and it is left alone – What you are measuring
against – This group CONTROLS the changes in the
experiment.
– Experimental group – The group actually being
tested for changes.
– Now you do the experiment
Analyzing Data
• Once you have done your experiment, you
need to collect and organize data and see if it
supports your hypothesis.
• Can create a table, graph, or use another
method to help “see” the data.
• This method of “seeing” data can be very
helpful to figure out if your hypothesis is true.
Evidence in Science
• Evidence – The information upon which
inferences are based.
– A collected body of data from observations and
experiments.
– Needs to be tested numerous times
– ** A Hypothesis needs to be FALSIFIABLE – There
must be an observation or experiment in it that
COULD reveal if it is a false statement.**
– Can be falsified years later.
– Science is not the only way of knowing
information.
Theories in Science
• Scientists look for patterns in data and
explanations for the patterns.
• How is a theory different from a Hypothesis?
– A theory is a well-tested explanation that helps
understand numerous observations.
– Theories help test Hypotheses.
– Theories are very broad compared to Hypotheses.
– Theories are only accepted when supported by a
large body of evidence.
– Must be tested and supported numerous times.
Models
• These are physical, mental, or mathematical
representations of figuring out a process or
idea.
• Can be drawings, graphs, 3-D objects,
computer programs, or mathematical
equations.
• Can also be described in words such as
analogies (likenesses). Brain = computer.
• Models should explain, predict, or match
observations.
Communication
• Scientists work in teams often.
• Communicate through journals, talks,
presentations, Internet, Email.
• These methods also help the public
understand scientific findings easier.
• Can see repeat testing results easier for
confirmation of Hypotheses or theories.
Science, Technology, Society
• Science and technology are related, but the
GOALS are different:
– Science goal: understand nature through
observation and testing Hypotheses. (Discoveries)
– Technology goal: APPLY scientific understanding
for a purpose Ex: Find a cure for AIDS.
(Inventions)
– Based on needs & wants of that time period. Ex:
Genetic testing?
– Highly debated everywhere in world
– Helps to understand both sides of issue.