
Jessica Davis
Introduction to
Empirical Reasoning
What is Empirical Reasoning?
 What does the term “Empirical” mean?
 Originating in or based on observation or
experience; capable of being verified or
disproved by observation or experiment.
 How about “Reasoning”?
 To think, understand, and form judgments by
a process of logic
The Learning Goal
This goal is to think like a scientist: to
use empirical evidence and a
logical process to make decisions
and to evaluate hypotheses. It
does not reflect specific science
content material, but instead can
incorporate ideas from physics to
sociology to art theory.

What idea do I want to test?
(essential question)

What has other research shown?


What is my hypothesis? How can
I test it?
What information (data) do I
need to collect?

How will I collect the
information?

What will I use as a control in my
research?

How good is my information?

What are the results of my
research?

What error do I have?

What conclusions can I draw
from my research?

How will I present my results?
CA Science Standards: Investigation and
Experimentation
-Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful
questions and conducting careful
investigations.
-Recognize the usefulness and limitations of models and
theories.
-Select and use appropriate tools and
technology to perform experiments..
-Analyze locations, sequences, or time intervals.
-Identify and communicate sources of error.
-Recognize the issues of statistical variability and the
need for controlled tests.
-Identify possible reasons for inconsistent
results.
-Recognize the cumulative nature of scientific evidence.
-Formulate explanations by using logic and
evidence.
-Analyze situations and solve problems that require
combining and applying concepts from more than
one area of science.
-Solve scientific problems using math.
-Distinguish between hypothesis and theory.
-Read and interpret maps.
-Investigate a science-based societal issue.
-Know that when an observation does not agree with an
accepted scientific theory, the observation is
sometimes mistaken or fraudulent
National Science Standards

What is Science as Inquiry?

Students Will:

-Understanding scientific concepts and
developing abilities of inquiry

-Identify questions and concepts that
guide scientific investigations.

-Learning subject matter disciplines in the
context of inquiry, technology, science in
personal and social perspectives, and
history and nature of science.

-Design and conduct scientific
investigations.

-Use technology and mathematics to
improve investigations and
communications.

-Formulate and revise scientific
explanations and models using logic and
evidence.

-Investigations over extended periods of
time.

-Using multiple process skills—
manipulation, cognitive, procedural.

-Using evidence and strategies for
developing or revising an explanation.

-Recognize and analyze alternative
explanations and models.

-Groups of students often analyzing and
synthesizing data after defending
conclusions

-Communicate and defend a scientific
argument.
Why is ER Important?
 Adds rigor to student projects.
 Helps students define what their goals are for
projects.
 Addresses higher level thinking (analysis and
synthesis).
 Encompasses content from all fields.
The Empirical Reasoning Process
 Essential Questions and Hypotheses
 Creating Data Collection Methods
 Consistent Investigation
 Analyzing Your Data and Comparing to Other Research
 Looking for Experimental Error
 Drawing Conclusions and Creating Final Products
 Presenting Your Results
The Scientific Method
Components of ER Integration
in Project Work
1) Proposal
2) Research and Data Collection
3) Analyzing and Synthesizing
Research
4) Creation of Final Products
QR/ER Proposal at BPFTA
WHAT THE STUDENTS SHOULD PROPOSE BEFORE THE PROJECT BEGINS:

Essential Question/Goal

Hypothesis

Procedures/Testing Methods:

Calculations/Data/Observations:

Presenting Results

Classes the work will count toward

Timeline
After research is completed…
 Results and Analysis: Was the goal met? Was the hypothesis
correct? Why or why not? What does this show and why does it
matter? A clear discussion.
 Errors: What errors or mistakes happened that affected the test
or calculations?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Final Product Creation: Create final products involving/meeting
all previous components.
ER at FTA: Scope and Sequence
 9th Grade: A Scientific Investigation Course (Introduction to ER)
that will include basic scientific concepts. Run by the Advisors,
supported by the ER Specialist.
 10th and 11th Grades: Classes taken either on campus or at the
college level. Students are required to do an ER component of
their project if the class is on campus (20% of their grade).
 10th-12th Grades: Independent or Small Group Project-Based
Science Elective courses tied to LTI.
ER Project Integration
 For 9th-12th Grade Students (all students)
 All students are required to use Empirical Reasoning in
their Project Work.
 Students can use scientific concepts and/or
Investigation and Experimentation for any project.
 The following is a list of examples.
Project/
LTI/Course
Essential Questions
Volunteer at How can students’
skills in a certain
an
afterschool area be improved?
program.
LTI at an
Environme
ntal NonProfit
How can I improve
the environment in
my community?
LTI at a
Boxing
Gym
How can I improve
my own health
through boxing?
Possible Tests/Experiments
Area of Science
-After researching different methods, choose
one. Using a control group and a regular
group, test your method. Administer before,
middle and after assessments to analyze the
success of your program.
-Investigation
and
Experimentation

-Create chemistry tests of soil, water, or air.
-Try different methods to grow plants, see
which work better.
-Chemistry
-Earth Science
-Biology
-Investigation
and
Experimentation
-Using an assistant, give yourself strength
-Investigation
and endurance tests.
and
-Using the guidance of your mentor, regularly Experimentation
work on your boxing technique, then re-test
-Biology
your strength and endurance and look for
improvement.
Project on
Writing
Therapy
Can students/people
find therapeutic
release through
writing or poetry?
-Working with a set group of people,
-Investigation
consistently implement your writing program. and
-After the program each week have all
Experimentation
participants rate their feelings in an
anonymous way. Track this data over
multiple sessions.
Project/
LTI/Course
Physics
Course and
Volunteership
at school for
the blind
Essential Questions
How does loss of
vision impact
quality of life?
Possible Tests/Experiments
Area of Science
-Design and implement various ways to
impede vision (blurred glasses, blindfolds).
-Perform daily tasks normally and time
yourself.
-Perform daily tasks with impediment and
time yourself. Analyze the difference.
-Investigation
and
Experimentation
-Physics
-Biology
-Research the relationship between the
LTI at a dance How can dance
organization. improve my health? heart and health.
-Test your pulse at rest and after dancing.
Analyze the results.

-Investigation
and
Experimentation
-Biology
Independent
Project on
Immigration
and the
DREAM Act
Which
communities need
the most education
about the DREAM
Act?
-Develop a survey, including demographics, -Investigation
about the DREAM Act.
and
-Have at least 40 random people participate. Experimentation
-Analyze the results by each demographic,
comparing them using charts and graphs.
Chemistry
Course and
project on
graffiti art
How can I improve
the quality of paints
used by artists?
-Research aerosol sprays
-Test the effects of sprays on air quality.
-Test different paints, develop mixtures to
try to change how fast it dries, etc.
-Investigation
and
Experimentation
-Chemistry
Project/
LTI/Course
Essential Questions
Possible Tests/Experiments
Area of Science

LTI at a
restaurant
What techniques
are important for
good cooking?
-Test how heating up foods quickly or slowly
changes consistency, taste, etc.
-Investigation and
Experimentation
-Chemistry
Project on
gang
involvement
What
psychological
impact do gangs
have in my
neighborhood?
-Develop a survey about the impact of gangs,
asking participants about # of gang members
in the area, crimes committed, etc.
-Compare to police data on, analyze any
differences.
-Investigation and
Experimentation
-Research radio waves
-Develop a test to try and “block” a radio
from receiving signals, and analyze the
results.
-Investigation and
Experimentation
-Physics
Physics course What are radio
waves and how do
and LTI at a
they send music?
radio station
Project on
Makeup or
Fashion
What types of
materials are in
makeup/clothing?
Can they harm
me?
-Research chemicals found in popular
-Investigation and
cosmetics & clothing, and find out pH levels Experimentation
of these chemicals.
-Chemistry
-Develop a test where you water a plant with
a solution of that pH level and analyze results.
Independent Elective Courses
 Students with related LTIs could attain credit for an
elective course (Marine Biology, Environmental
Chemistry, Veterinary Science, Food Science, etc.), but
need to work closely with mentors and an ER person.
 In these situations, courses must be developed with
clear outcomes along with mentors in a scientific field.
ER Integration Rubric
 Empirical Reasoning Sub-goals as a guide.
 QR Integration Rubric as a template
 Broken into three parts:
 Planning
 Testing
 Analysis
 ***To be used for project integration for students
taking a science course.***
The ER Rubric
The ER Rubric: Jigsaw
 Break into Groups of equal size.
 Your prompt: Using the project topic and
Essential Questions, design the ER portion of a
students project..
Time Limit: 10 minutes to brainstorm, then 10
minutes to share out.
 Group 1: Advisory Project
 Group 2: Independent Project (no internship yet)
 Group 3: LTI Project
 Group 4: Independent Project, searching for an LTI
Outcomes:
 1) Hypothesis/es: What will you will be
researching?
 2) Investigation: What type of investigation or
experimentation will you perform?
 3) Data Collection Methods: How will you record
your results?
 4) Products: What will you create that expresses
the results of your research?
My Suggestions
 Introduce investigation starting in the 9th Grade with an
ER Course and/or clear ER integration into an Advisory
or Group Project
 Do a survey/investigation as an Advisory and tally results
and form conclusions in groups
 Strong Essential Questions make for a strong
investigation
 Product Creation is an essential component of the
process
RE-CAP
 What is NOT ER
 What IS ER
 Studying or researching
 -Editorials, Expository
Science Concepts/ “facts”.
 Survey of students at the
school (unless the project is
only our schoolbased)/insufficient data or
sample sizes.
 Data collection with no
analysis.
Essays, Historical
Investigations
 -Experiments
 -Surveys with Analysis
Whip Around
 What questions do you have?
 What ideas do you have?
 Networking time!