Chapter 2 Lecture NotesTools of Environmental Science

Name: Hour: Date:

• I can list and describe the steps of the scientific method.

• I can describe why a good hypothesis is not simply a guess.

• I can describe the two essential parts of a good experiment.

• I can describe how scientists study subjects in which experiments are not possible.

• I can explain the importance of curiosity and open-mindedness in science.

Section 1: Targets

The Scientific Method Scientific Method: series of 5 steps scientists

use to identify and answer questions.

1. – Observation: getting/using information by

– Observations can take many forms:

-Descriptions -Drawings-Photographs -Measurements

– Observations can be or

What are some Qualitative and Quantitative Observations about the

Following Photograph itative: •In the kitchen•Golden retriever acting as a chef•White hat/apron•Blue oven mitt•White stove/tile•Brown cabinets•TV in the corner

titative:•1 dog, stove, oven mitt, hat, apron•Standing on 2 feet

2. Hypothesizing and Predicting• Hypothesis: explanation based on .

– not merely a guess, it is an prediction.– must be .– should be stated in “ … …” format.

3. Experimenting•Good experiments have 2 essential characteristics: •a single is tested•a is used.

•Variable: the factor that in an experiment to test a hypothesis.

Experimenting• To test for one variable, scientists study two

groups at one time, with a variable being the between the two groups.

– group: exposed to the “thing” (variable) you are testing

– group: used as a comparison. •exactly the same as experimental group

EXCEPT it is not exposed to the variable.

4. Organizing and Analyzing Data• Data: information

collected through or .

• Should be organized into or

• Data can be ITATIVE or TITATIVE

5. Drawing Conclusions

• Scientists determine results of their experiment by data and the outcome of their experiments with their prediction.

Repeating Experiments• Scientists often experiments

• The more often an experiment can be repeated with the results, in different places and by different people, the more scientists become about the reliability of their conclusions.

Characteristics of a Good Scientist• OSCO

– O – S – C – O

United StatesRivers Activity

Comprehension Check

1. How would a scientist categorize a testable explanation for an observation?A. a correlationB. an experimentC. an hypothesisD. a prediction

2. Why is being skeptical important to a good scientific mind?

A.willingness to travelB.an empathetic natureC.desire to conduct experimentsD.continually questioning observations

Comprehension Check

3. How many mussels are less than 25 mm in length?

A.6B.9C.12D.15

Comprehension Check

4. Determine the total size of this population of dwarf wedge mussels.A. 60B. 80C. 100D. 120

Comprehension Check

5. What is the most likely size predictable for a mussel randomly drawn from this population?

A.15–20 mmB.25–30 mmC.30–35 mmD.40–45 mm

Comprehension Check

Section 3: Target• I can describe four values that people

consider when making decisions about the environment.

Values and the Environment

• Scientific is an essential first step in solving environmental problems. – before research can begin, an

is usually needed.

• Values: principles or standards an individual considers to be and affect environmental decision making.