The Scientific Method
Introduc on
Lab 1
The Scien
c Method
13
14
Lab 1 : Scien
c Method
Concepts to explore:
Concepts to explore:
x x x x x x x x Testable observa ons
Hypothesis
Null hypothesis
Experimental approach
Variables
Controls
Data collec on
Analysis
Introduc on
What is science? You have likely taken several classes throughout your career as a student, and know that it is more than just chapters in a book. Science is a process that uses evidence to understand the history of the natural world and how it works. It is constantly changing as we understand more about the natural world, and con nues to advance the understanding of the universe. Science begins with ob serva ons that can be measured in some way so that data can be collected in a useful manner by follow ing the scien c method.
Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue or why a plant grows toward a window? If so, you have al ready taken the rst step down the road of discovery. No ma er what the ques on, the scien c meth od can help nd an answer (or more than one answer!). Following the scien c method helps to insure scien sts can minimize bias when tes ng a theory. It will help you to collect and organize informa on in a useful way, looking for connec ons and pa erns in the data. As an experimenter, you should use the scien c method as you conduct the experiments throughout this manual.
Figure 1: The process of the scien
15
c method
Lab 1 : Scien
c Method
The scien c method process begins with the formula on of a hypothesis – a statement of what the experimenter thinks will happen in certain situa ons. A hypothesis is an educated guess – a proposed explana on for an event based on observa on(s). A null hypothesis is a testable statement, that if proven true means the hypothesis was incorrect. Both statements must be testable, but only one can be true. Hypotheses are typically wri en in an if/ then format, such as:
Hypothesis:
If
Lab 1
The Scien
c Method
13
14
Lab 1 : Scien
c Method
Concepts to explore:
Concepts to explore:
x x x x x x x x Testable observa ons
Hypothesis
Null hypothesis
Experimental approach
Variables
Controls
Data collec on
Analysis
Introduc on
What is science? You have likely taken several classes throughout your career as a student, and know that it is more than just chapters in a book. Science is a process that uses evidence to understand the history of the natural world and how it works. It is constantly changing as we understand more about the natural world, and con nues to advance the understanding of the universe. Science begins with ob serva ons that can be measured in some way so that data can be collected in a useful manner by follow ing the scien c method.
Have you ever wondered why the sky is blue or why a plant grows toward a window? If so, you have al ready taken the rst step down the road of discovery. No ma er what the ques on, the scien c meth od can help nd an answer (or more than one answer!). Following the scien c method helps to insure scien sts can minimize bias when tes ng a theory. It will help you to collect and organize informa on in a useful way, looking for connec ons and pa erns in the data. As an experimenter, you should use the scien c method as you conduct the experiments throughout this manual.
Figure 1: The process of the scien
15
c method
Lab 1 : Scien
c Method
The scien c method process begins with the formula on of a hypothesis – a statement of what the experimenter thinks will happen in certain situa ons. A hypothesis is an educated guess – a proposed explana on for an event based on observa on(s). A null hypothesis is a testable statement, that if proven true means the hypothesis was incorrect. Both statements must be testable, but only one can be true. Hypotheses are typically wri en in an if/ then format, such as:
Hypothesis:
If