Scientific MethodChapter 1

CA Science StandardInvestigation and Experimentation

1. Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other four strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations.

What is Science?Science is a process of observing, studying, and thinking about

things in your world to gain knowledge.

Devils Postpile: Created when hot lava cooled and cracked.

Nature of ScienceA. Science assumes the natural world is

1.) consistent 2.) predictable

B. Goals of science are1.) to discover patterns in nature2.) use knowledge to make predictions

Nature of Science

C. Science and Ethics1.) scientific discoveries can lead to serious ethical

implications2.) scientific investigations must be conducted ethically

compliance with the law, health and safety.

For example, a researcher who fabricates data in a clinical trial may harm or even kill patients, and a researcher who fails to abide by regulations and guidelines relating to radiation or biological safety may jeopardize his health and safety or the health and safety of staff and students.

Nature of Science D. The Scientific Method

1.) State the problem/ask a question2.) Gather information3.) Form a hypothesis4.) Experiment5.) Record and analyze data6.) State a conclusion

Nature of ScienceE. An idea can become a:

1.) hypothesis – tentative or untested explanation. ie: If you get at least 6 hours of sleep, you will do better on tests than if you get less

sleep.

2.) theory – is an explanation based on many observations during repeated experiments. ie: Big Bang Theory

3.) law – is a basic principle that describes the behavior of natural phenomenon.

ie: Newton’s first Law of Motion

Nature of ScienceConducting Experiments

1.) 2 groups Control Group – part of an experiment that is not exposed to a variable Experimental Group – part of an experiment that is exposed to a variable

2.) Additional Variable Independent variable - manipulated part of an experiment the variable you want to test Dependent variable – observable outcomethe variable being measured