The
Nature of Science
How can we tell the difference between science and non-science?
CONPTT
Consistency, Observability, Natural, Predictability, Testability, and Tentativeness
Consistency
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Observability
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Natural
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Predictability
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Testability
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3 types of tests
_________________- What characteristics do you notice about this
unidentified creature?
_________________- What are the differences between these two
creatures?
_________________-Design an experiment to test if these 2 animals are
related.
Tentativeness
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Scientific Method
A common sense way to look at and understand what is going on in the natural world.
There are different orders of the Scientific method. For our class this is the order we will
use.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Observation
Ask a question
Form a Hypothesis
Make a Plan
Experiment
Data (record, evaluate, interpret, and analyze)
Conclusion
A variable is a factor that can change.
Manipulated/independent – variable that is purposely changed.
Responding/dependent – may change in response to manipulation
Control – never changes
Theory is a well-established, thoroughly tested, highly-reliable explanation that unifies a
broad range of observations. NOT absolute truth.
Law - Describes a single action, can be expressed in mathematical equation