Scientific Method Notes

 

Science is a process more than just a list of facts or concepts. 

 

Science is something people do. 

 

Science has a set of rules that all scientists must follow.

 

Rule 1: Scientific ideas must be based on careful observations of the natural world.

-        Observations can only be made only with our 5 senses: sight, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting.

-        Observations can be extended using scientific instruments: telescopes, ultrasound machines.

-        List some other instruments that extend our senses.

 

Rule 2: Scientists attempt to explain observations by making hypotheses.  A hypothesis is a tentative explanation of observations that has little evidence to support it.

 

      A valid hypothesis must be falsifiable.  That is, there must exist some way to test whether the hypothesis is true or false.

 

Example:  “I think I saw a ghost last night!” is NOT a good hypothesis.  Why not?

 

Example:  “I think it rains more here in the winter than in the summer.”  This is a good hypothesis.  Why?

Rule 3: Scientists attempt to test their hypotheses with experiments.  Experiments are simply ways of making more detailed observations to test the validity of a hypothesis.

 

Experiments must be repeatable, that is they must be done so that other scientists can do the experiments the same way to see if they get the same results. 

 

Scientists collect and organize data during experiments.  Data can be in the form of written descriptions, drawings or pictures, and measurements.

 

Rule 4: Scientists must analyze their data.  Analysis is when scientists carefully examine data to reach deeper understanding.

-        Pictures are looked at carefully.

-        Measurements are graphed or mathematically manipulated.

-        Comparisons are made with other observations.

-        Lot and lots of THINKING takes place.

 

Rule 5: Scientists attempt to reach conclusions about their hypotheses. 

-        Was the hypothesis supported with new evidence or shown to be false?

-         Can a theory be created or modified?

-        What new questions and hypotheses come to mind?

 

Rule 6: Scientists must publish their results so that other scientists may check the accuracy of their work and learn new knowledge.  These reports are published in scientific journals.