Essential Question:
What are some types of
scientific investigations?
Name
Date
Period
Unit 1 Lesson 2- Scientific Investigations
Two types of scientific investigations
1. Experiments
2. Observations
Experiments
 Usually in a Lab
 Controlled
Observations
 Use your Senses (hearing,
seeing, etc.)
 Includes Making Models
Essential Question: What are some parts of scientific
investigations?
Parts of a scientific investigation
1. Hypothesis- a testable idea or
explanation
2. Independent Variable: the
manipulated variable
3. Dependent Variable: the
variable that changes as a
result of the manipulation of
the Independent Variable.
4. Observations and Data: the
information gathered during
an experiment via observation
(with senses or tools)
Essential Question: What are some Scientific Methods?
There are seven methods listed.
A scientist will not always use
each method.
It is important, however, to know
the general order, importance,
and purpose of each step.
See foldable for more info.
Characteristics of good science.
• Repetition: if an experiment can be
repeated by the same person to get
the same result, it provides support
for the findings.
• Replication: if another scientist
can replicate the same
experiment and get the same
results it provides more support
for the findings.
*More accuracy = More trials
More trials can be replication or
repetition. Either way it provides
more accurate results.
Note: if an investigation does not
support your hypothesis, you can not
change the data, change your
hypothesis, or change the procedure.
Your options are, 1) conduct more
trials to insure the data does not
support your hypothesis
What if my experiment does not
support my hypothesis?
You should
1. Conduct more trials to make
sure the data is accurate
2. Revise your hypothesis and do
a new experiment
You can not
• change the data
• change your hypothesis
• change the procedure.