Scientific Inquiry and the Scientific Method
Scientific inquiry is the process by which scientists
study the natural world and propose explanations
based on the evidence they gather. Scientists then
take these scientific discoveries and apply it in many
ways particularly, technology.
The scientific inquiry process starts with asking questions
that result either from observations or problems that may occur. Using inference, previous
knowledge, and research that is already known about a subject, they then develop a
hypothesis. A hypothesis is a possible explanation or educated “guess” that answers a
scientific question. In science, a hypothesis must be testable. This means that researchers
must be able to carry out investigations and gather evidence that will either support or
disprove the hypothesis. It is typically stated as an “If and then statement”. Questions or
problems that involve personal opinions, emotions, motivational reactions, or dealing with the
supernatural are not scientific because they cannot be tested.
To test a hypothesis, you must design
an experiment. Experiments deal with
variables, or the factors that you need to
do the experiment. A controlled
experiment has only one variable that is
purposely changed to test the hypothesis. It
is called the independent variable or the
manipulated variable. The factor that may
change in response to the independent
(manipulated) variable is called the
dependent variable, or responding
variable. It is important to change only one
variable at a time to determine if that factor
is truly creating the desired results of the experiment. All the other variables in the
experiment must stay exactly the same in the experiment. They are called constants,
or constant variables. A controlled experiment must have a control, that is, something
to compare with. For example, if you change the amount of water a plant gets to see
how it will grow, you will have one plant with no change (control group) in how much
water it was getting, and one plant with the water changed. (independent variable). I’m the
control
A good experiment will have operational definitions. An operational definition is a
statement that describes how to measure a particular variable or define a particular term.
For example, if using paper in an experiment, the scientist must write down what color,
size and type of the paper was used i.e.- 81/2 x 11,
black construction paper. Do you think it would make a
difference what kind of paper you used to make a paper
airplane?
Data are facts, figures, and other evidence gathered
through observations. These observations may be
quantitative- or deal with numbers, like 5 meters, 2
hours, etc. or they can be qualitative, or descriptive, like
blue, rough, small, etc. A data table, such as a graph,
provides you with an organized way to collect and record your observations during an
experiment. Graphs can reveal patterns and trends and can help scientists to analyze or
interpret the information. After being collected and analyzed, data is interpreted and a
conclusion, or summary of what was learned from the experiment, is drawn. The results
are communicated or shared with others through writing and speaking.
It is important that scientists write
precisely and accurately in order for other
scientists to be able to repeat their
experiments and build off them so they use
the same measuring units called the metric
system, or SI units. (Systeme
Internationale- International System of
Units) The conclusions will become part of
scientific theory or scientific law.
A scientific theory is a well-tested explanation for a wide
range of observations or experimental results. It cannot be
considered a law because future testing may prove it to be wrong.
A scientific law is a statement that describes what scientists
expect to happen every time under a particular set of conditions.
Unlike a theory, a scientific law describes an observed pattern in nature without
attempting to explain it. An example would be the law of gravity. Scientists cannot
explain why it works but only describe what it does.
One reason to study scientific theories and laws is to have scientific literacy. Having
scientific literacy means that you understand basic scientific terms and principles well enough
that you can evaluate information, make personal decisions, and take part in public affairs
making laws regarding scientific discoveries and technologies
Name_____________________________
Period____________________ Date________________
Scientific Inquiry and Scientific Method
1. Scientists use the scientific method to learn about the world around them. It is part of scientific
inquiry. What does scientific inquiry refer to?
2. What is the application of science? ______________________________
3. True or False? Scientific inquiry often begins with developing a hypothesis.
4. Scientists use inference and research to develop a hypothesis. What is inference?
_________________________________________________________________________
5. Circle the letter of EACH sentence that is a scientific question.
a. At what temperature does water boil?
c. How can my team work better together?
b.When does the sun rise on April 3?
d. Why does she like science more than he does?
6. A(n)
is a possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question.
Match the term with its definition.
7. dependent (responding) variable
a. a statement that describes how to measure a
particular variable or define a particular term
8. operational definition
b. the one variable that is purposely
changed to test a hypothesis
9. independent (manipulated) variable
c. a factor that is part of an experiment
10 constants
d. the factor that may change in
response to the manipulated
variable
11. variable
e. an experiment in which only one
variable is manipulated at a time
12. control
f. used as a comparison in an experiment
13. controlled experiment
g. all the other variables in an
experiment that must stay the same
14. Why can you only change one variable in a controlled experiment?
___________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
15. The facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through observations are called _________________.
16. Label the data qualitative or quantitative. Use QL for Qualitative and QN for quantitative.
5 centimeters______________
100mL ______________
21 boys ___________________
smooth _______________
soft _______________
saturated _________________
17. Circle the letter of each sentence that is true about graphs.
a. A graph can reveal a trend in data.
c. Graphs are the only way to organize data.
b. Graphs help scientists interpret data.
d. A graph can reveal a pattern in data.
18. A(n)_________________
is a summary of what you have learned from an experiment.
19. Circle the letter of the sentence that explains why scientists describe their research in full when they
communicate with other scientists.
a. A scientific law requires scientists to pose questions.
b. Other scientists need to be able to repeat a scientist’s experiments.
c. Scientists share their ideas in scientific journals.
d. A large set of related observations can never be a scientific theory.
20. Not all countries use the same type of measurements. In order to be able to reproduce other scientists
experiments they all use the same measurement. Which do they use? _________________
What is it called? __________________________________________________________
21. What is a scientific theory? ______________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
22. True or False? Future testing can prove a scientific theory to be incorrect. __________________
23. You can think of a(n)________________________________as a rule of nature.
24. Give an example of a scientific law.
25. What does having scientific literacy mean and why is it important to have it?
26. Put the steps of the scientific method in order. Write the numbers 1-5 next to each word.
_____ Make a hypothesis.
_____ Analyze the data.
_____ Draw a conclusion.
_____ Test the hypothesis.
_____ Ask a question
Paragraph removed as well as questions. Can be discussed separately.
Not all inquiry is done in a controlled environment. An observational study is when
something is just observed to learn something specifically about it, such as observing
animals in the wild. There are also blind experiments, where some members in the
experiment are unaware of certain information to prevent bias or the power of suggestion.
16. Diane Fossey did a lot of research on gorillas in the wild. What kind of scientific inquiry did she do?
_
17. In of group of 20 people testing the effectiveness of a medication, 10 of them were not given the
medicine but they received a placebo (fake sugar pill) that looked like it.
experiment is this?
What kind of
_
18. Why was this done? ________________________________________________________________