Name:_________________________
1.1 Scientific Methodology
Observing and Asking Questions
There isn’t a single scientific method, but there is a style of investigation that can be
called ___________________________________________.
There are ____________ main parts that are described…
1. Observing and asking questions
Scientific studies begin with observation, the act of _____________________________________________________________________.
Observation leads to new questions
2. Inferring and Forming a Hypothesis
After asking questions, scientists use further observations to make
________________________ . An inference is an
___________________________________________.
Inference, along with imagination, can lead to a
______________________________________.
A hypothesis is _________________________________________.
3. Designing Controlled experiments
Testing a hypothesis often involves
___________________________________________, or the things that can change
Whenever possible, only ____ variable should change when testing.
All other variable should be left ______________________
Controlling variables:
Variables are controlled so scientists can identify what caused the results
The variable that is changed is called
________________________________________
The variable that is observed and that changes because of modifications
___________________________________________
Control and Experimental groups
The control group ___________________________________________, except
for one independent variable.
4. Collecting and Analyzing Data
Scientists make detailed records of experimental observations by gathering data.
Qualitative data: ___________________________________________
___________________________________________: descriptions, observations
Scientists use ___________________________________________
Ex:
Sources of Error
Scientists ___________________________________________
Sometimes errors are ___________________________________________
Tools have limited ___________________________________________
The more tests that are run (sample size), the
___________________________________________
5. Drawing conclusions
Scientists use ___________________________________________, change the
hypothesis, or to draw a ___________________________________________
Scientists are able to make ___________________________________________based on
the results of an experiment that was completed.
The five parts of the Scientific method are?
Complete the chart as an appropriate review of today’s lesson
Parts of the Scientific Method
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Explanation/Purpose
KEY
 1.1 Scientific Methodology
 Observing and Asking Questions
 There isn’t a single scientific method, but there is a style of investigation that can be
called scientific methodology.
 There are 5 main parts that are described…
 Observing and asking questions
 Scientific studies begin with observation, the act of noticing and describing what is
happening in an orderly way.
 Observation leads to new questions
 Inferring and Forming a Hypothesis
 After asking questions, scientists use further observations to make inferences. An
inference is an idea based on what is already known.
 Inference, along with imagination, can lead to a hypothesis.
 A hypothesis is a scientific explanation for a set of observations that can be tested
 Designing Controlled experiments
 Testing a hypothesis often involves an experiment that keeps track of variables, or the
things that can change
 Whenever possible, only 1 variable should change when testing.
 All other variable should be left unchanged
 Controlling variables
 Variables are controlled so scientists can identify what caused the results
 The variable that is changed is called the independent variable
 The variable that is observed and that changes because of modifications is the
independent variable
 Control and Experimental groups
 The control group is treated the same as the experimental group, except for one
independent variable.
 Collecting and Analyzing Data
 Scientists make detailed records of experimental observations by gathering data.
 Qualitative data: descriptions, observations
 Quantitative data: NUMBERS
 Scientists use research tools to collect and analyze data
 Ex:
 Sources of Error
 Scientists must avoid error
 Sometimes errors are made using tools
 Tools have limited accuracy or can be read incorrectly
 The more tests that are run (sample size), the more sure scientists are about their data
 Drawing conclusions
 Scientists use data to support or refute the hypothesis, change the hypothesis, or to draw a
valid conclusion
 Scientists are able to make new hypotheses based on the results of an experiment that was
completed.
 The five parts of the Scientific method are?
 Complete the chart as an appropriate review of today’s lesson
 Be sure to include an explanation of each part
 We will be using this information for our upcoming experiment.