SCIENTIFIC THINKING AND
PROCESSES
SWBAT….



B-1.1: Generate hypotheses based on credible,
accurate, and relevant sources of scientific
information.
B-1.5 Organize and interpret the data from a
controlled scientific investigation by using
mathematics, graphs, models, and/or technology.
B-1.6 Evaluate the results of a controlled
scientific investigation in terms of whether they
refute or verify the hypothesis.
TODAY’S OBJECTIVES
 Identify
the different elements of
scientific inquiry.
 Define the difference between
accurate data and precise data
 Understand the importance of
graphs
 Define the difference between
science and technology.
 Understand the 4 components of
technological design
ASK YOURSELF:
How
is research in a
laboratory similar to
research in a rain
forest?
Biologists,
like all scientists,
as questions about the world
and try to find answers
through observations and
experimentations.
How
do your daily
observations answer
questions that you have
about the world?
BIOLOGY IS A PROCESS OF INQUIRY.
Science
is a humans way of
trying to understand the world
around us.
The process differs from scientist
to scientist, but all inquiry is
based on the same principles.
Scientific thinking is based on
both curiosity and skepticism.
OBSERVATION (STEP 1)
 All
scientific inquiry begins with careful
observations.
 Observations:
collecting information
about a topic by using our 5 senses.
 Sometimes
we use tools and technology to
make observations.
OBSERVATION:
Example:
use
computers to collect
measurements or to
examine past results.
DATA


When observations are recorded, or written
down, they are called DATA.
Scientists collect 2 general types of data:

Qualitative data and Quantitative data
Qualitative data are descriptions in words of what is
being observed. They are based on some quality of an
observation like color, odor or texture. (sight, sound)
Quantitative data are numeric measurements. They are
the same no mater who measures them. They include
measurements like mass, volume, temp, time, ect.
EXAMPLES OF QUANTITATIVE AND
QUALITATIVE DATA….

Qualitative data:
Dolphin color ranges from gray to white.
 Dolphins in a pod engage in play behavior.
 Dolphins have smooth skin.


Quantitative data:
There are nine dolphins in this pod.
 Dolphins eat approximately 4-5 % of their body mass
each day.
 The sonar frequency most often used by dolphins is
around 100 kHz.

QUANTITATIVE DATA IS BEST


The quality of something (sight, sound, smell,
texture) can be different from one person to the
next and can not be measured.
The quantity of something (number of, length of,
duration of) is not different from person to person
and can be measured.
Precision
is
the amount of
detail in
measurements,
or how closely
two or more
measurements
agree.
Accuracy
is how close a
measurement is to the
actual or accepted value for
that measurement.
HYPOTHESIS (PL. HYPOTHESES) STEP 2
 Scientists
use observations and data to
form a hypothesis.
A
hypothesis is a possible answer to a
scientific question.
A
hypothesis must be specific and
testable.
 Written
as an IF…THEN…statement.
EXAMPLES: SALAMANDERS AT A POND
I
OBSERVED that all the salamanders
around my pond have crooked tails.
(which sense did I use?)
I
HYPOTHESIZED: IF the salamanders
have crooked tails, THEN they must live
in polluted water.
 (I
learned about the world around me with
my senses, then I made a reasonable
guess as to why I saw what I saw.)
EXPERIMENT (STEP 3)
A
procedure to TEST your
hypothesis.
(A
fancy way to say you
test your guess to see if
you were right or wrong)
EXPERIMENT
 Variable-
the factor in an
experiment that is being tested.
A
good or “valid” experiment
will only have 1 variable.
 This
is so you know that the results
you see are CAUSED by the thing
that you were testing for.
SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS FOLLOW
RULES
An
experimenter
changes one
factor and
observes or
measures what
happens.
CONTROL VARIABLES
The
experimenter makes a
special effort to keep other
factors constant so that
they will not effect the
outcome.
 Those factors are called
controls.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A
CONTROL?
Controls
are NOT being
tested
Controls are used for
COMPARISON
OTHER VARIABLES
The
factor that is changed is
known as the independent
variable.
The factor that is measured
or observed is called the
dependent variable.
EXAMPLE
 For
OF
CONTROLS & VARIABLES
example, suppose you want to
know how bleach will affect plant
growth.
 You will supply your plant with
bleach instead of water and measure
its growth.
 You will compare the growth of the
plant watered with bleach to the
growth of the plant given water.
WHAT ARE
 Changing
VARIABLES
EXPERIMENT?
THE
IN
YOUR
what liquid the plant is
given is the independent variable
 The growth of the plant after
adding bleach is the dependent
variable
 Having a plant that was only given
water is a control variable.
One
more thing… it is
best to make several
trials with each
independent variable.
REMEMBER: TO BE A VALID
EXPERIMENT:
Two
groups are
required --- the control
& experimental groups
There should be only
one variable (one thing
being tested for)
DATA (STEP 4)
Results
of the
experiment
May be quantitative
(numbers) or qualitative
DATA
Must
be organized
Can be organized
into charts, tables,
or graphs
CONCLUSION (STEP 5)
The
answer to the hypothesis
based on the data obtained from
the experiment.
 Decide
whether your data supports your
hypothesis (you were right) or that your
data disproves your hypothesis (you were
wrong)
 Either is O.K.
RETEST (STEP 6)
In
order to verify the results,
experiments must be retested.
Anyone
should be able to come
along behind you, do the same
experiment and get the exact
same results.
GRAPHING IN
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS
In science, it is important that data collected from
scientific investigations be neat, legible, and easily
interpreted. In order for this to be the case, scientists
rely heavily on charts, graphs, and formulas.
So why do we need them?
Organization of data
GRAPHING IN
SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATIONS
Circle Graph
Line Graph
Bar Graph
BAR GRAPH
A bar graph can show any relationship where
the dependent variable changes due to a change
in the independent variable.
 Compares categories

CIRCLE GRAPH
Also known as a pie graph/chart
 A circle graph shows parts of a whole or
percentages.

LINE GRAPH

A line graph shows a trend over time
DRY MIX
 DRY- Dependent Responding Y-axis
 MIX- Manipulated Independent X- axis

LIMITATIONS OF SCIENCE
Science
can’t explain everything
or solve every problem.
Qualitative
data is subjective to
interpretation.
Emotions
can’t be proved.
DO YOU THINK SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ARE THE SAME THING?
Science
Technology
SCIENCE VS. TECHNOLOGY


Science: is a process of inquiry that searches for
relationships that explain and predict the
physical, living and designed world.
Technology: is the application of scientific
discoveries to meet human needs and goals
through the development of products and
processes.
The
process of scientific
investigation is followed to
determine the relationship
w an independent and
dependent variable
described by a hypothesis.
The results of scientific
investigations can advance
scientific knowledge.
The
processes of
technological design are
followed to design
products to meet
specified needs. The
results of technological
designs are improved
standard of living and
quality of life.
Scientific Investigation
Identifies a problem
 Researches related
info
 Designs an
experiment
 Implements the
experiment-repeated
trials
 Analyzes the results
 Evaluates the
conclusion
 Communicates
findings

Technological Design
Identifies a problem
 Researches related
info
 Designs a process or
product
 Implements the
design-repeated trials
 Analyze results
 Evaluates the process
or product
 Communicates
findings

4 MAIN STEPS
1.
2.
3.
4.
Identify the problem.
Propose a solution (design, process, or product)
Implement the solution
Evaluate the solution
STEP 1: IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM
The first step in the technological design process
is to identify the problem. Often, engineers or
inventors try to solve problems in their own lives
or work.
STEP 2: PROPOSE A SOLUTION
Once the problem has been identified, a solution has to
be proposed. In order to do this, drawings or models
may be created. Also, any materials and costs have to be
identified and the time has to be identified. A list of
potential risks and benefits also is made.
STEP 3: IMPLEMENT THE SOLUTION
Once a design plan has been studied and accepted, a
design team must carry out the plan. This stage of
development is known as implementation. This is a
step-by-step strategy to solve the problem.
STEP 4: EVALUATE THE SOLUTION
A completed design must be
evaluated to decide if it meets
the original goals.
BEFORE YOU ARE FINISHED…
The results of technological
design often improve
people’s lives. Each new
development offers both
benefits and risks. Benefits
are how the technology
meets people’s needs. The
risks include ways the
technology might harm
humans or the environment.
This is called risk-benefit
analysis.