Science is…
a method that humans use to
organize and explain the
natural world
“Kinds” of Science
Pure Science –
-the study of science alone – not including its
relations to other subjects
Applied Science –
-applying scientific knowledge to practical
problems
Example:
Pure Science- studying the human eye and vision
Applied Science- (technology), designing glasses
or lenses
Science is…
The study of both the quantitative and
qualitative aspects of the world:
Quantitative = quantities (how much)
Qualitative = descriptives (like color,
texture, etc…)
Science…
Tries to answer the questions of
what, where, how, why and when
using the
Scientific Method
Scientific Method
• Is a blend of creative and critical thinking
processes with problem solving
techniques
• Procedure that scientists use to carry out
research
1st Step of the Scientific Method
Make observation
• Observations lead to the formulation of a
question or a problem that needs solving
• Observations can be quantitative and
qualitative
• Recognize any patterns, may collect data and
organize it
• Leads to the formulation of a question or a
problem that needs solving.
• Make sure there is only one problem being
studied
Research the Problem
• Look up everything you can on your topic
– Visit your library or go on the internet
– Conduct personal interviews
– Search for references (magazines, journals,
books, newspapers articles) that have been
written about the topic you are interested in
2nd Step of the Scientific Method
Form a hypothesis
• An educated guess
• Formulate reasonable explaination for
these observations
• What do you think might happen?
• A hypothesis must be a testable statement
upon which the experiements are based
3rd Step of the Scientific Method
Experimentation
• Experiment = a systematic test of
variables
• Designed and conducted to test the
hypothetical answers
• Be sure to include a control trial to
provide a basis for comparison
• Control is the trial in which the condition
being tested is omitted
Experimentation
• Will also have the variables which you will
be collecting data on and observing
• Variables = conditions that you change
between the various trials in your
experiment
Experimentation
• Develop and conduct a controlled experiment
• Test one variable at a time
• Qualitative vs. quantitative data
– Quantitative - Collection of numerical data
– Ex. Collecting height and weight data of all students in
this class
– Qualitative - Descriptive
• Use of observational data or written descriptions of what
scientists observe
• Useful when qualitative data collection is not appropriate
– Ex. Study of how gorillas behave
Components of a Controlled
Experiment
A. Control setup
• Setup in which all conditions are kept the same
B. Experimental setup
• Setup in which all conditions are kept the same
except for the one being tested
C. Independent variable
• The condition (variable) being changed by you
D. Dependent variable
• The condition (variable) being observed or
measured in the experiment
Experimentation
Conduct the experiments
• Keep notes, records of all observations
• May be short time frame or may take a
long period of time depending on what you
are trying to prove.
• The experiments will provide the data that
will be analyzed to determine if your
hypothesis is valid
Data
• Data will be collected
• Data will be organized in tables or charts
and graphs
• Evaluate the data to see if the hypothesis
is valid
For an experiment to be valid:
• Must be set up so they are not biased
toward any one answer
• Must be repeated so that all experiements
lead to the same results.
Hypothesis not correct
• Sometimes experiments disprove the
hypothesis
• Scientists might either reject original
hypothesis and formulate a new one
OR
• Revise the original hypothesis
• Process is repeated until hypothesis is
proven, then results are expressed as a
conclusion
4th Step of the Scientific Method
Formulate a conclusion
• Summary of the results of the experiment.
• This may or may not support the
hypothesis
• In the research world of science the
conclusion may be presented as a Theory
or Law depending upon the type of results
collected.
Theory
• Tested model that explains a natural
phenomenon
• However it cannot be proven absolutely
correct!
• It is the best explanation based on
experimental evidence
• May change w/advances in science
• Examples: Theory of Evolution, Big Bang
Theory
Law
• Expression of a consistent pattern in
nature.
• Something that always occurs under a
certain set of conditions
• Sometimes are developed from theories.
• May also change depending on advances
in science
• Examples: Law of Conservation of Energy,
Law of Conservation of Matter, Law of
Gravity
• An example of the scientific method: Let's say I have a problem:
My car won't start. How would I use the scientific method to solve
this problem?
• Purpose: I want my car to start
• Hypothesis: If I put gas in my car, it will start.
• Materials: 5 gallon gas can, 5 gallons gasoline, money to buy
gasoline, a ride to the gas station
• Procedure: First, I will call my friend Bill and ask for a ride to the
gas station. I will take the five gallon gas can and fill it with five
gallons of gasoline at the pump. After paying the gas station owner
for the gasoline, I will get a ride back to my car and put the gasoline
in the tank. Once the gasoline is in the tank, I will attempt to restart
the car.
• Results: The car started on the first try.
• Conclusion: When I put gas in my car, it started.
Observation - you see something (say an
ant on a kitchen table)
Question - (you ask, "Why is it there")
Hypothesis - you propose a reason (he's
searching for food)
Experiment - you put food where he can
reach it
What could be the results and conclusion?
Observation: In many parts of
Europe, medieval farmers stored
grain in barns with thatched roofs
(like Shakespeare’s house). As a
roof aged, it was not uncommon for
it to start leaking. This could lead to
spoiled or moldy grain, and of
course there were lots of mice
around.
Hypothesis:
Mice came from the moldy grain.
It was obvious to them that the mice
came from the moldy grain …
Make observations
Propose an Hypothesis
Design an Experiment
Proves hypothesis valid
Look for patterns
Collect preliminary
Data
Gather and organize
Data
Analyze the data
Proves hypothesis invalid
Revise hypothesis
State a Conclusion
Theory
Law
The SCIE 0900 Plant Project?
What is it exactly?
• Research Project
• Implement Scientific
Method
• Collaborate with 1 or
2 lab partners
• Everyone will work
together to compete
the experiment –
HOWEVER everyone
will do their own
research and submit
their own report.
• Each lab group will be
assigned a problem and
the variable to be tested
• Each lab group will build
planters, set them up
and care for them while
the plants grow
• Each individual is
responsible for working
with lab partners to
collect and record all
qualitative and
quantitative data.
Bottle planter set-ups have already been prepared
for you
Saturate wick
with water
and then
thread wick
through the
hole in the
cap
Fill top half with soil
Fill bottom half with
distilled water
Plant seeds
Lightly cover w/saran
wrap
Don’t forget to record
what you are doing!!
What are the experiments that you
might do?
•
•
•
•
•
•
Water Pollution (of soap)
Gravitropism
Phototropism
Salt Pollution
Nitrogen
Acidity
ALL of the problem has been designed for you and
the variables identified.
• All planters will be
kept on the plant cart
in the lab.
• The lights will be on
24-7
• Please use care when
handling your
planters.
• Try not to disturb the
neighboring planters.
Potential Problems:
• Planters may dry out
• Planters may tip over
• Solutions were made
up incorrectly
Results….
Plant Project Assignment
• Plant Project Homework page
Submit the following for review:
purpose
hypothesis
variable
control
Background
Copies of resources you use
(no fewer than 3)
Remember to cite your resources
(we will go over how to do this)