THE NATURE OF
SCIENCE
1 - The Method of Science
IN THIS LESSON:
• The Scientific Method
• Scientific Method steps
REFERENCES:
CK-12-Chemistry-Intermediate_b_v52_kcj_s1
CH 1.2
REMEMBER:
WHITE SLIDES -> These are notes that are very important and should be recorded in notebook.
COLOURED SLIDES -> Pay attention, follow directions, complete projects as described and answer required questions.
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Science
Process that uses observation and
investigation to gain knowledge about events
in nature.
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Two Main Types of Scientific Research:
Quantitative Research
research in which data is
numerical.
EX TOOLS USED:
• Thermometer
• Balance
• Stopwatch
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Qualitative Research
(Descriptive)
research based on observations,
data is descriptive.
EX TOOLS USED:
• Binoculars
• Camera
• Tape recorder
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WHAT ARE STEPS
SCIENTISTS OFTEN USE
TO SOLVE PROBLEMS?
A series of procedures,
called the Scientific
Method, are used to
solve a problem.
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1564 – 1642
Galileo Galilei was an Italian
astronomer, physicist, engineer,
philosopher, and mathematician
who played a major role in the
scientific revolution of the
seventeenth century.
He has been called the "father of
observational astronomy", the
"father of modern physics", the
"father of scientific method",
and the "father of science".
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Scientific Method
The scientific method is a
systematic (= organized) and logical
approach to the acquisition of
knowledge.
It uses specific techniques to observe and
investigate natural phenomena.
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Hypothesis
Educated guess* or
testable prediction.
*Educated guess = valid supposition
Experiment
Organized procedure
for testing hypothesis.
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Scientific Method STEPS
F Make observations.
F Ask a question.
F Do a research.
F Formulate a Hypothesis.
F Perform/do an experiment.
F Collect and analyze results.
F Draw a conclusion.
F Communicate the Results.
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Scientific Method STEPS
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUP8rFWzVt4
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Scientific Method:
MAKE OBSERVATIONS
What do I see in nature?
AH—Look at
this!
This can be from one’s own experience,
thoughts or reading.
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Scientific Method:
ASK A QUESTION
Formulate a question that
can be solved through
experimentation.
You ask a question about what you
observe.
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BE CURIOUS!
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http://www.slideshare.net/WikiBrains/7-reasons-to-be-curious
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Scientific Method:
RESEARCH
Research and gather
information on your
question to form a stronger
hypothesis.
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Scientific Method:
FORM HYPOTHESIS
A hypothesis is a testable prediction
to answer to the question.
A good hypothesis is written as an
“If ___, then ___” statement.
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Example: If CO2 levels rise, then plant
growth will increase.
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Scientific Method:
DESIGN EXPERIMENT
Organized procedure for testing
hypothesis.
Develop and follow a procedure.
The results must be measurable and
“REPEATABLE”!
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Scientific Method:
COLLECT AND ANALIZE DATA
Record all data,
pertinent facts and
changes of the
experiment.
Then analyze the data
statistically.
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Scientific Method:
CONCLUSION
Include a statement that
accepts or rejects the
hypothesis.
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Scientific Method:
SHARE RESULTS
Report and communicate the results.
Share your results with your peers and the scientific community.
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Scientific Method:
DEVELOP A THEORY
If the hypothesis was
supported by the results of
many other experiments,
then scientists can develop
theories.
Theories are never proven, they
become stronger as facts continue to
support them.
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Scientific Theory vs. Scientific Law
How do hypotheses become theories?
How do theories become scientific law?
The black
hole theory
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Scientific Theory
Scientific Law
A theory is an explanation that has
been repeatedly tested and
confirmed by multiple researchers.
A scientific law is a statement that
summarizes the results of many
experiments and to which there
are no known exceptions.
The law of
gravity
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Further research?!!
If new fact disprove a
theory, the entire
process begins again
and the old theory
must be revised or
replaced by a new one.
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Scientific Method
THE BIG PICTURE
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IN YOUR
LAB
JOURNAL!
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Match the following components of the Scientific Method to their definitions:
1. ___ Analyze
2. ___ Hypothesis
3. ___ Conclusion
4. ___ Problem
5. ___ Procedure
6. ___ Observations
7. ___ Research
8. ___ Share
9. ___ Record data
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A. States the question.
B. Tells what happened during your experiment.
C. Send results to peers.
D. Explains why your results happened.
E. Collects information from experiment.
F. Prediction to the question.
G. Shows the steps you took to do your experiment.
H. First and most important facet of science.
I. Gather information.
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Match the following components of the Scientific Method to their definitions:
1. _B_ Analyze
2. _F_ Hypothesis
3. _D_ Conclusion
4. _A_ Problem
5. _G_ Procedure
6. _H_ Observations
7. _I_ Research
8. _C_ Share
9. _E_ Record data
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A. States the question.
B. Tells what happened during your experiment.
C. Send results to peers.
D. Explains why your results happened.
E. Collects information from experiment.
F. Prediction to the question.
G. Shows the steps you took to do your experiment.
H. First and most important facet of science.
I. Gather information.
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LESSON VOCABULARY
• Hypothesis
• Scientific law
• Scientific method
• Theory
• Experiment
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LESSON REVIEW QUESTIONS
1. What is a key requirement for a hypothesis to be a valid part of the
scientific method?
2. What is the next step if a particular experiment is inconsistent with
the hypothesis?
3. Why do scientists repeat experiments?
4. What makes a theory different from a hypothesis?
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