Inquiry Skills and Scientific Method Test on Friday, September 1st----Study Guide Below!!!!!

Inquiry Skills Study Guide

(Observe, Infer, Predict, Scientific Method)

What is observing?

Observing is using one or more of your senses to gather information about the world. 

What are your 5 senses?

Sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch are your five senses.

What is information gathered from observations called?

data or evidence

What is the most basic skill in science?

Making and recording observations is the most basic skill in science.

What is an “accurate observation?”

An accurate observation is an exact report of what your senses tell you.

What is an “objective observation?”

An objective observation avoids opinions or bias based on specific points of view.

There are two forms of observations.  What are they?

qualitative and quantitative

What is a qualitative observation?

A qualitative observation is a description that does not use numbers.    If you report colors, smells, tastes, textures, or sounds, you are making qualitative observations.

What is a quantitative observation?

A quantitative observation is a description that includes numbers.   If you count objects or measure them with standard units (eg.:  feet, inches, Celcius, Fahrenheit, grams, pounds, etc.), you are making quantitative observations.

In science, observations are kept separate from inferences (attempted explanations of observations) because inferences MAY NOT be correct.

If you have no tool to measure with quantitatively, what do you do?

Try to estimate by referring to known standards such as:  The stick was as long as an unsharpened pencil.

What does “inferring” mean?

Inferring is explaining or interpreting an observation or statement. 

What are the two types of inferences?

reasonable (LOGICAL) inferences—a logical explanation that makes sense based on what a person knows about the topic

unreasonable inferences---concluding too much from the evidence

A LOGICAL INFERENCE MUST MAKE SENSE IN TERMS OF EVERYTHING ELSE YOU KNOW!!!!!

ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE MORE THAN ONE LOGICAL INFERENCE FROM THE SAME OBSERVATION!!!!!

IT IS OKAY TO MODIFY, REJECT, OR REVISE YOUR INFERENCES.

What is predicting?

Predicting is making an inference about a future event based on current evidence or past experiences.

A PREDICTION IS AN INFERENCE!  THEREFORE, IT MAY NOT TURN OUT TO BE TRUE.

How do you make a prediction in science?

Don’t just guess!!!!!!  Try to consider all the experiences and knowledge you have about the topic.  Examine any new information you can obtain.  Analyze data tables and graphs, if available.  THEN, make a reasonable prediction based on everything you have considered.

Never be discouraged if your prediction turns out to be false!  The purpose behind a prediction is to learn about the natural world.  An incorrect prediction may lead you to a new question and new predictions that will increase your knowledge. J

What are the steps of the scientific method?

Design an Experiment-making an organized plan to test a hypothesis

1.     Pose a Question

2.     Develop a Hypothesis

3.   Plan the Procedure

                    -Control Variables

         

4.      Interpret the Data

5.      Draw Conclusions

What makes a question scientific?

It can be answered by observations, or evidence.

How can we pose a question?

1-begin by listing several questions on a topic about the natural world,

2-try to eliminate questions that can’t be answered by gathering evidence,

3-break broad questions into questions that can be investigated one at a time,

4-word questions in a way that allows them to be answered by an investigation or experiment.

What is a hypothesis?

A hypothesis is a possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to a scientific question.  IN SCIENCE, A HYPOTHESIS MUST BE TESTABLE!!!!!

How should a hypothesis be worded?

Try to word each of your hypotheses in the form of an If…then…statement.  Example:  If I give my plants fertilizer, then they will grow as big as my neighbor’s plants.  (testable and properly worded)

What is a manipulated variable?

The variable that you purposely change and test (Example: the temperature of the room) is a manipulated variable.

What does controlling variables mean?

An experimental plan is not complete unless the experimenter controls all other variables!!!!!  CONTROLLING VARIABLES MEANS KEEPING ALL CONDITIONS THE SAME EXCEPT FOR THE MANIPULATED VARIABLE.

Example:  Will houseplants grow faster if you make the room warmer? (posed question)

Controlled variables:

Use the same kind of plant.

Use identical containers.

Use the same type and amount of soil.

Use the same type and amount of fertilizer.

Use the same amount of water.

Use the same lighting.

Manipulated variable:  the temperature of the room is the only thing that will change in order to answer your question!

How do we identify a control group?

The groups being studied are called the experimental group and the control group.

The CONTROL GROUP is the group whose conditions are NOT being changed.

The EXPERIMENTAL GROUP is the group whose conditions are being changed.

What is data?

Making observations and taking measurements are called data.

How do you interpret data?

1.     Organize data into a table or arrange the data in a specific order (such as largest to smallest).

2.    Make a graph of the data.

3.    Look for trends or patterns in the data or graph.

4.    Make one or more inferences from the data, then compare the inferences with what you already know about the topic.

5.    If your inferences contradict what you know, review your work to see if you made any mistakes or if you need to examine the data again.

What does drawing a conclusion mean?

It means making a statement summing up what you have learned from an experiment.  Don’t forget---the conclusion of an experiment is usually related to the hypothesis!!!!!  Your conclusion should determine whether your experiment showed your hypothesis to be true or false.

What is a line graph?

A line graph is used to display data that show how one variable (the responding variable) changes in response to another variable (the manipulated variable).  LINE GRAPHS SHOW THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TWO VARIABLES!

How is a line graph labeled?

The horizontal axis (x-axis) and the vertical axis (y-axis) are placed on graph paper.  The horizontal axis should be labeled with the name of the manipulated variable.  The vertical axis should be labeled with the name of the responding variable.  ALWAYS INCLUDE UNITS OF MEASURE WITH YOUR LABELS!