Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of
Investigations?
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Florida Benchmarks
• SC.5.N.1.1 Define a problem, use appropriate
reference materials to support scientific
understanding, plan and carry out scientific
investigations of various types such as: systematic
observations, experiments requiring the
identificiation of variables, collecting and
organizing data, interpreting data in charts,
tables, and graphics, analyze information, make
predictions, and defend conclusions.
• SC.5.N.1.2 Explain the difference between an
experiment and other types of scientific
investigation.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Florida Benchmarks
• SC.5.N.1.3 Recognize and explain the need for
repeated experimental trials.
• SC.5.N.1.4 Identify a control group and explain
its importance in an experiment.
• SC.5.N.1.5 Recognize and explain that authentic
scientific investigation frequently does not parallel
the steps of “the scientific method.”
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
A Process for Science
Start with a Question
• A scientific investigation always begins with a
question.
• Scientists observe the world and then ask good
questions based on their observations.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Plan an Investigation
• Scientific methods are ways that scientists
perform investigations.
• Investigations can be planned once a scientist has
a testable question.
• There are different scientific methods for
investigating the world.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Investigations Differ
• The method a scientist uses to conduct an
investigation depends on the question being
investigated.
• An investigation in which all of the conditions are
controlled is called an experiment.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Investigations Differ
• Scientists use models to represent real objects or
processes.
• Repeated observations allow scientists to study
processes in nature that they can observe but
can’t control.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Drawing Conclusions
• Whatever scientific methods are used, scientists
will have results they can use to draw conclusions.
• Conclusions may answer the question a scientist
asked before they began.
• Conclusions may also point to new questions and
ideas for more investigations.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Explosive Observations
• Some science questions are too big, too far away,
or too uncontrollable for experiments.
• These science questions can only be answered by
making repeated observations.
• Observations can be used to predict a future
event.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Explosive Observations
• How do scientists predict the locations for future
volcanic eruptions?
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Super Models
When Modeling Is Needed
• Models are used when scientists cannot
experiment with the real object or event.
• The better a model represents the real thing, the
more useful it is.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Types of Models
• Physical models can be created to simulate a real
object or event.
• Computer simulation models can be used to see
what might happen in the future or to guess what
happened in the past.
• Diagrams and flowcharts are two-dimensional
models used to show how ideas are related.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
How to Excel in Experimentation
Ask Questions
• Scientific questions can be answered by doing
experiments. An experiment is a procedure used
to test a hypothesis.
• It is a good idea to make some observations
before stating a hypothesis.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Hypothesize
• A hypothesis is a statement that can be tested
and explains what can happen in an investigation.
• Thinking about what you already know, talking to
other people, and doing research can help you
form a hypothesis.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Design an Experiment
• Experiments can have two or more setups for
comparing results.
• Variables are any condition in an experiment that
can be changed. Only one variable is tested.
• The control is the setup to which all other setups
will be compared.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Carry Out the Procedure
• A procedure is the steps a scientist follows in an
experiment.
• Procedures are often repeated.
• By repeating procedures, scientists will have more
evidence to support their conclusions.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Record and Analyze Data
• Recording data correctly is important. There are
many ways to record data.
• Once data are recorded, you can analyze the
results to draw conclusions.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Draw Conclusions and Evaluate the
Hypothesis
• All conclusions must be supported with evidence.
• The more evidence you have, the stronger your
conclusion.
• Evaluate your hypothesis after you have reached a
conclusion.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Draw Conclusions and Evaluate the
Hypothesis
• Once you have drawn conclusions, decide if the
hypothesis is supported or not.
• Scientists build on what they learn by rethinking
their hypothesis or designing new experiments.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Special Delivery: Data Displays
• Line graphs are used to show change over time.
• Circle graphs are used to compare parts to the
whole.
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Unit 1 Lesson 3 What Are Some Types of Investigations?
Special Delivery: Data Displays
• Diagrams are used to show data that do not
include numbers.
• Bar graphs are used to compare things or groups
of things.
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