Scientific Inquiry
Chapter 1.2
Page 10
Section 2:
Scientific Inquiry
How do scientists investigate the
natural world?
What role do models, theories, and
laws play in science?
The Nature of Inquiry
There is no set path that a scientific inquiry must follow.
Different scientists may choose different paths when
studying the same event.
1. Pose Questions
2. Form a Hypothesis
3. Design an Experiment
4. Collect and interpret data
5. Draw conclusions
6. Communicate
#1 Posing Questions
• Scientific Inquiry often begins with a problem
or a question.
• Good scientific questions are ones that can be
answered by making observations; based on
evidence, not just opinion.
Does additional weight cause the car to go faster
down the ramp?
#2 Developing a Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a possible
explanation for a set of observations
or answer to a scientific question.
• It is similar to an educated
prediction.
Increasing the weight of
the car will increase its
speed down the ramp.
#3 Designing an Experiment
• In an experiment, there are many different factors
or parameters that could be changed: location,
temperature, speed, materials, etc. These different
factors are called variable parameters.
In a controlled experiment,
the effect of one of those
variables is measured.
Therefore only one variable
parameter is changed in each
experiment.
#3 Designing an Experiment
Hypothesis: Eating breakfast in the morning helps you
stay awake in class.
Day one: After 10 hours of sleep, you eat breakfast
and stay awake in class.
Day two: After 5 hours of sleep, you eat only toast
and you get tired in class.
Day three: After 4 hours of sleep, you don’t eat
breakfast and you fall asleep in class.
#3 Designing an Experiment
In an experiment:
• The manipulated variable is the one variable that
a scientist is trying to determine its effect. It is the
one variable that is changed in an experiment
(eating breakfast, weight of the car).
• The responding variable is the factor that is
measured, the results of the experiment (alertness
in class, the speed of the car). It measures the
effect of changing the manipulated variable.
#4 Collecting Data
Data are the facts, figures, and other evidence
gathered through observation.
Quantitative observations (facts, figures,
numbers, etc.) are usually recorded in a table
or chart. These data are analyzed later and
are often put in graphs for easier
understanding.
Qualitative observations are usually recorded
in the lab journal.
#5 Drawing Conclusions
• Conclusions always relate to the hypothesis:
did the data support or not support the
hypothesis, not whether the hypothesis was right
or wrong
#6 Communicating
A very important part of the scientific inquiry
process is communicating the results of your
inquiry.
Purpose:
-help others with your information
-a check on the accuracy of your findings
How Science Develops
• Scientists use models and develop theories and
laws to increase people’s understanding of the
natural world.
A model is a picture,
diagram, computer image,
or other representation of
an object or process.
Example: Bohr model of the
atom
Scientific Theories and Laws
A scientific theory is a well-tested scientific
concept that explains a wide range of
observations. (“The best explanation for the data
we have.”)
Example: The theory that the Earth is flat.
Theories can change if there is enough evidence
against it.
A scientific law describes an observed pattern in
nature. But does not provide an explanation for
it.
Example: The law of gravity.
The Nature of Inquiry Activity
• Click the Active Art button to open a browser window and
access Active Art about the nature of inquiry.
End of Section:
Scientific Inquiry