Scientific Method

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Scientific Method

• What is It?
• Why is it Important?
• How do I use it?

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What IS the Scientific Method?

• It is the steps someone takes in order to
  identify a question, develop a hypothesis, design
  and carry out steps to test the hypothesis, and
  document observations and findings to share with
  others
• In other words, its a way to solve a problem!

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In order to solve problems, scientists have to
think logically
A PLAN!!
HYP NO Good
LAW
THEORY
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The Scientific Method is Unprejudiced

• Re-doing the experiment tells whether the results
  were true or false
• The conclusions will hold irrespective of the
  state of mind, or the religious persuasion, or
  the state of consciousness of the investigator
  and/or the subject of the investigation.

www.phyun5.ucr.edu/wudka/Physics7/Notes_www/node6
.html
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BUT to REVIEW

• The results using the scientific method are, and
  must be, repeatable!
• Once experiments and observations are repeated
  many times, only THEN can a theory be formed
• THIS IS THE BASIS OF SCIENCE Discovery,
  Duplication, Delivery

www.phyun5.ucr.edu/wudka/Physics7/Notes_www/node6
.html
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What is the difference between a fact, a theory,
and a hypothesis?

• In popular use, a theory is just a vague and
  fuzzy fact. For scientists (this now includes
  you!), a theory is a concept that explains a fact
  and can predict new ones. For example, today I
  saw the sun rise. This is a fact explained by the
  theory that the earth is round and spins on its
  axis while orbiting the sun.
• This theory also explains other facts (such as
  the seasons and moon phases) and allows me to
  make future predictions.

http//home.xnet.com/blatura/skep1_.html
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What is the difference between a fact, a theory,
and a hypothesis?

• A hypothesis is a theory that has not yet been
  tested. Remember, only hypotheses that stand over
  time and through many tests become theories.

So, whats left to know about the Scientific
Method?
http//home.xnet.com/blatura/skep1_.html
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But theres more! Were all human so lets
learn about COMMON MISTAKES

• 1 error Mistaking a hypothesis for an
  explanation - sometimes an idea seems so logical
  it tempts us into believing no testing is
  necessary - DONT FALL FOR IT!
• Another mistake is ignoring or ruling out data
  that does not support the hypothesis ALL data
  must be included!
• Finally, a mistake can arise from not estimating
  error you could have even discovered a new
  phenomena!

http//teacher.nsrl.rochester.edu/phy_labs/Appendi
xE/AppendixE.html
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Importance of Scientific Method

• Universal
• Simple
• Well-organized
• Allows for Communication

HYP NO Good
Communication
LAW
THEORY
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but even outside of class - YOU can use the
scientific method!

• Other scientists may critique our results and
  work but this is good
• Collaboration is how we learn and get ahead!

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• The   Scientific   Method can be used to solve
  any problem,
• even to find a date for a dance!
• Here's how to do it
• Step 1State the problem. You cannot solve a
  problem until you know exactly what it is. My
  Problem is - "I need a date for the dance".
• Step 2Research the problem. What will it take
  to solve my problem?What do I know, and need to
  know, about my problem? To solve my problem, "I
  need someone to take to the dance". Who can I
  take? - Examine the possibilities. - Eliminate
  poor choices. - Consider likely choices.

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• Step 3Form a hypothesis. A possible solution to
  my problem.The simplest solution is often the
  best solution! "My date will be ( Name )".
• Step 4Test the hypothesis. Perform an
  experiment to see if your hypothesis works. "Ask
  ( Name ) for a date".
• Step 5 Draw conclusions from the data. Data are
  the results of an experiment. In its simplest
  form, there are only two possible conclusions
• Conclusion 1   If your hypothesis was correct,
  you now have a date for the dance. PROBLEM
  SOLVED!
• Conclusion 2   If your hypothesis was incorrect,
  the experiment failed. DON'T GIVE UP! DO MORE
  RESEARCH!- What was wrong with your original
  hypothesis?- Did you make a poor selection?-
  Was your experiment flawed? - Form another
  hypothesis based on additional research.- Test
  the new hypothesis.

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WHAT NEXT?

• Well, we now know
• 1. what the scientific method is
• 2. why the method is important
• And
• 3. how to use it
• So, what about other scientists?

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Scientists used this method (before it was even
called The Scientific Method) to form theories on
such phenomena as gravity, evolution, and
cells.But they had other attributes about their
personality to help them succeed in their science
work as wellGO NOW to the WEB QUEST to discover
HABITS of MIND and how FAMOUS SCIENTISTS used
their personal characteristics along with the
scientific method to be successful!THANK YOU
FOR YOUR ATTENTION!
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• Dont Forget to Keep your Notes on the Scientific
  Method for the test and for me to check!! ?

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