Investigative Techniques Notes: obj. 1a-h
I. What is Science?
A.A way or process used to investigate in order to______more about the natural world
B.Learning process usually begins by ______with your eyes and asking a question
C.Scientist ask ______about the natural world
Why, how, or when something occurred
D. ______: The practical use of Science to make products or tools that people can use
- Science helps create technology, but technology helps ______Science
III. Science In Action: Conducting an Investigation
A. Steps of the ______: ways or steps to follow in order to solve a problem.
1.______
2.______
3.______
4.______
5.______
6.______
7.______
8.______
B. Science starts with an Observation or Question
______: Observations of an object / substance which cannot be given a mathematical value
Ex. ______
______: Observations of an object / substance/ situation that are ______and are given a specific mathematical value
Ex. ______
C. Research/background knowledge
Research what others already ______and results of other peoples’ investigations related to your topic
Helps make a ______
______background knowledge to help make better conclusions about results
Examples of resources: Internet, electronic encyclopedia, journals, community, magazines
D. Designing an Investigations
Controlled Experiment: used to answer questions by testing a hypothesis through a series of carefully controlled steps
Manipulate one variable to see if it ______another variable
Example: do an experiment to determine if the type of gas used in a tire increases tread life
E. Elements of a Controlled Experiment
Testable Question (cause & affect)
Example: What type of fertilizer will help plants grow the best?
______: a prediction or statement that can be tested or solved
______: a factor that changes in an experiment
F. Types of Variables
______: factor that is changed/manipulated because it is ______by the experimenter
oEx. Type of fertilizer
______: factor that is being ______and ______as a result of the independent variable being applied
oEx. Height of plant growth
______: factors that remain the ______throughout the course of the experiment
oEx. Type of plant, Amount of water
______: Sample that is treated like the other experimental groups except that the independent variable is ______applied to it.
oEx. One plant is not given any fertilizer but everything else is kept the same
G. Collecting & Organizing Data
Detailed & accurate notes must be written & measurements must be taken
Ways to organize: journal, log book, ______
H. Analyze Your Results
______: to examine carefully and in detail so as to identify causes, key factors, &/or possible results
Represent ______in a meaningful way
Ex. Line graph, Bar graph, Circle graph
Evaluate the data you have collected
Look for ______
Sequentially ______results
Line Graph
Shows a cause and affect ______between an independent and dependent variable.
I. Draw Conclusions
Restate the hypothesis with ______from the investigation to ______your conclusion
Based on your data justify your conclusion
______: are decisions/conclusions based on an investigation and ______
______: stating whether a hypothesis is right or wrong using evidence to ______your answer
Scientific ______is the practice of questioning the validity of a conclusion that lacks solid evidence
Must be repeatable to be ______
Must make ______
Other explanations must be ______
Causes ______
- Ex. Earth was once thought to be the center of the solar system
Data must have both Accuracy and Precision
- ______: true, correct, or exact; freedom from erroror defect; correctness
- ______: Repeatable
______your results to others in order to help create technology or new investigations