Unit 1.2- Scientific Method
1.2 Scientific Method
 Empirical/ Non-empirical Data/ Evidence/
Knowledge
 Qualitative and Quantitative
 4 Steps
 Observation
 Hypothesis
 Experiment
 Theory
 Scientific Law
 Formalized Hypothesis
 “If….then” method
I Can Statements:
1. Define the word laureate
2. Explain the significance of the Nobel Prize
3. Explain what is meant by a Nobel Laureate
4. Explain the concept of and identify or state examples of empirical data, knowledge, or
evidence”
5. Define and distinguish between the two types of empirical data, knowledge or evidence as well as
identify or state examples of each
A. Qualitative
B. Quantitative
6. Explain the concept of and identify or state examples of Non-empirical data, knowledge, or
evidence
7. Explain the concept of objective data, knowledge, or evidence and how it relates to empirical
data, knowledge, or evidence
8. Explain the concept of subjective data, knowledge, or evidence and how it relates to nonempirical data, knowledge or evidence
9. Identify or state examples of subjective and objective data, knowledge, or evidence
10. List , identify, explain, and state examples of the 4 steps of the Scientific Method and explain what is
meant by each step
A. Observation
B. Hypothesis
C. Experiment
D. Theory
11. Write a formalized hypothesis using the “If….then” method.
12. Define, explain, and state examples the difference between a scientific theory and a scientific
law
13. Identify or state examples of scientific theories and laws
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Vocabulary:
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Empirical data, knowledge, evidence
Experiment
Formalized hypothesis
Hypothesis
Laureate
Nobel Laureate
Nobel Prize
Non-empirical data, knowledge, evidence
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Objective data, knowledge, evidence
Observation
Qualitative data, knowledge, evidence
Quantitative data, knowledge, evidence
Subjective data, knowledge, evidence
Scientific Law
Scientific Method
Scientific Theory
Achievement Scale:
Goal
1.2
C Level
B Level
A Level
 Can define the word laureate
 Can explain the significance of the
Nobel Prize
 Can explain what is meant by a
Nobel Laureate
 Can explain the concept of empirical
and non-empirical data, knowledge,
or evidence
 Can define and distinguish between
qualitative and quantitative
empirical data, knowledge, or
evidence
 Can explain the concept of objective
and subjective data, knowledge, or
evidence and how they relate to
empirical and non-empirical data,
knowledge, or evidence
 Can list and explain the 4 steps of
the scientific method.
 Can write a formalized hypothesis
 Can define scientific theory and
scientific law and explain the
difference
 Can identify examples
of empirical and nonempirical data,
knowledge, or evidence
 Can identify examples
of qualitative and
quantitative empirical
data
 Can identify examples
of objective and
subjective data,
knowledge, or evidence
 Can identify examples
of each of the 4 steps of
the scientific method
 Can identify examples
of scientific theories
and laws
 Can state examples of
empirical and nonempirical data,
knowledge, or evidence
 Can state examples of
qualitative and
quantitative empirical
data
 Can state examples of
objective and
subjective data,
knowledge, or evidence
 Can state examples of
scientific theories and
laws
Sample Questions:
C Level:
What is a Nobel Laureate?
A person who has been honored by being awarded the Nobel Prize.
What is empirical data, knowledge, or evidence and why is it considered to be objective data, knowledge, or
evidence?
Empirical data, knowledge, or evidence is gained through direct
observation. It is objective because it does not depend on the view of
the observer.
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How is qualitative data, knowledge, or evidence different from quantitative data, knowledge, or data?
Qualitative data, knowledge, or evidence is gained without benefit of
measurements whereas quantitative data is always based on
measurements.
List the 4 steps of the scientific method and give a BRIEF description of each.
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Observation = notice the details of a particular phenomenon
Hypothesis = ask a testable question about the phenomenon
Experiment = collect data based on testable question
Theory = attempt to explain phenomenon based on collected data
Write a formalized hypothesis for the following statement.
Temperature may cause leaves to change color.
If leaf color change is related to temperature, then exposing a leaf to
different temperatures will cause the leaf to change color.
B Level:
List the empirical and non-empirical data in the following:
The white, crystalline solid melted at 750C.
 Non-empirical: white, crystalline
 Empirical: melted at 75oC
Identify the objective and subjective information in the following:
Sally said the test was difficult and that the average score was 72%.
 Subjective: the test was difficult
 Objective: average score was 72%
A Level:
Give an example of a scientific theory and a scientific law.
 THEORY: Galaxies may be moving away from each other due to
momentum imparted to the universe during the Big Bang.
 Hubble's LAW: Hubble's law provides a concise method for
measuring a galaxy's velocity in relation to our own. The
movement of those galaxies can be traced backed to the Big Bang.
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