User:Atcovi/Science/Introduction to Science, Experimental Design, and Graphing

Scientific Method

 * Observations - Process of gathering information about events in a careful, orderly way.
 * Data - The information gathered from observations.
 * Inference - A logical interpretation based on prior knowledge or experience.
 * Hypothesis - A testable prediction.


 * Scientists use three things to generate a hypothesis
 * Prior knowledge
 * Logical inference
 * Informed, creative imagination


 * What is a theory? A well tested explanation that unifies a broad range of explanations.
 * Useful theories may become the dominant view in science
 * They must be supported by consistent data that has been well-tested
 * However, theories are not considered absolute truth
 * We are always analyzing, reviewing, and critiquing theories

List the steps to the Scientific Method

 * 1) Make observations
 * 2) Ask a question
 * 3) Formulate a hypothesis
 * 4) Formulate an expirement
 * 5) Collect, record, analyze
 * 6) Make conclusions
 * 7) Retest

Setting up a Controlled Experiment

 * 1) Variables
 * Independent Variable: We can change and manipulate
 * Dependent Variable: Variable that changes in response to the independent variable
 * Constant: Variables that do not change
 * Control Group: Does not get special treatment
 * Experimental Group: Does get special treatment
 * 1) Types of observations/data
 * Quantitative: Data that we can actually measure using measurement tools
 * "N" in quantitative = numbers
 * Qualitative: Data that we cannot measure but collect based on appearance, physical features, etc
 * "L" in qualitative = looks


 * 1) Math in Science
 * What is the MEAN in a set of numbers? The average
 * Equation for calculating mean: Add all numbers together/All numbers in the set


 * 1) Recording and Analyzing Data
 * Use tables to record and organize data collected during the experiment.
 * Use graphs to give a visual analysis of the collected data.

Graphs

 * See User:Atcovi/Graphs


 * Always use a pencil!


 * Read the problem and identify the IV and the DV
 * Remember: the IV is what the experimenter changes on purpose, and the DV is the result of what is changed


 * Make a title for your graph
 * The Effect of IV on DV or a title that describes the relationship between the IV and the DV


 * Decide what type of graph is appropriate
 * Line graphs are used for continuous data (like showing growth of a plant over time)
 * If you could take another measurement after the last one, its continuous data
 * Bar graphs are used for discontinuous data (like numbers of different colors of birds in a forest)


 * Label the x- and y- axes with the appropriate variables and units
 * The IV is always graphed on the x-axis (the horizontal axis- goes across)
 * The DV is always graphed on the y-axis (the vertical axis- goes up and down)


 * Scale each axis using equal spacing and so much of the graph paper as possible
 * Look at your data and determine the smallest and largest values. The largest value minus the smallest value is the RANGE.
 * Then either:
 * - Divide the range by the number of lines available OR
 * - Use trial and error to scale your graph.


 * Pick EASY counting numbers such as 1's, 2's, 5's, 10's, etc.
 * Remember: every line must represent the same interval!
 * Then ask yourself, "Is my graph BIG enough?" (Is it easy to look at?)