OBSERVATION

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OBSERVATION

• Information we gather by using our senses
• (see, hear, smell, touch, taste)

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A WORD OF CAUTION

• Although we may use all 5 senses to make
  observations, you must NEVER taste or smell
  unknown materials in science class!!
• Unless the teacher specifically tells you to
  taste or to smell something, DONT DO IT!
• Safety is our first and most important concern in
  science lab!

3
PROPERTY or ATTRIBUTE

• A characteristic that distinguishes one substance
  from another
• Examples color, size, shape, weight, odor,
  taste, texture, sound
• Observations should include as many attributes or
  properties as possible

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TWO KINDS OF OBSERVATIONS

• Qualitative Observations that do NOT involve
  numbers or measurements.
• Quantitative Observations that involve numbers
  or measurements Remember N Number
  

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INFERENCE

• A statement that explains or makes sense of an
  observation

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PREDICTION

• The outcome (or result) you expect to take place
  in the future

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HYPOTHESIS

• A prediction that can be tested by
• an experiment
• 3 Parts
• 1. Cause
• 2. Effect
• 3. Testable

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Hypothesis

• Cause The ONE thing (variable) that is changed
  in an experiment
• Effect The results, the outcome, what happened
  in the experiment
• Testable Can be tested

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Writing a Hypothesis

• Write a hypothesis as an IF., Then. statement
• If Cause
• Then Effect
• Example If I cool water to 0 degrees Celsius,
  then the water will freeze.

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Identify the cause and the effect

1. The higher the temperature of the water, the
   faster the eggs will cook.
2. People who drink fluoridated water will have less
   tooth decay than those who dont
3. Refrigeration will slow the growth of mold on
   bread.

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Identify the Cause and the Effect

1. Talking to plants will make them grow taller.
2. When soil is wet, it weighs less than when it is
   dry.
3. Putting a metal object in the outlet will shock
   you.
4. If you put wet clothes in your clothes hamper and
   leave them there until laundry day, mold will
   grow on them.

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Writing a Hypothesis- If Then

• If the temperature of the water is higher, then
  the eggs will cook faster.
• If people drink fluoridated water, then they will
  have less tooth decay than those who dont.
• If bread is refrigerated, then the refrigeration
  will slow the growth of mold on the bread.

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Writing a Hypothesis- If Then

• If you talk to plants, then the plants will grow
  taller.
• If soil is wet, then it will weigh less than soil
  that is dry.
• If you put a metal object in the outlet, then it
  will shock you.
• If you put wet clothes in your clothes hamper and
  leave them there until laundry day, then mold
  will grow on them.

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Controlled Experiment

• An experiment where only one variable is changed.
• All other variables are controlled, or kept the
  same.
• Only CONTROLLED experiments are FAIR and
  RELIABLE!!!

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VARIABLE

• A factor that can affect the outcome of an
  experiment
• It is IMPORTANT to keep all but ONE of the
  variables the same in different trials of the
  experiment

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The Control

• The part of the experiment that does NOT receive
  the change to the variable.
• At the end of an experiment, we compare our
  results to the CONTROL to see the change more
  clearly

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SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• A way of thinking about nature that involves the
  use of certain skills to solve problems in an
  orderly manner.
• SOLVE PROBLEMS ORDERLY MANNER

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7 Step Scientific Method

• Ask a question/define problem
• Gather background information
• Form a hypothesis
• Test hypothesis w/an experiment
• Make observations and record data (take notes)
• Analyze data
• Draw a conclusion

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Define The Problem

• State the problem as a CLEARLY worded QUESTION

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Gather Background Information

• Collect any information related to the question
  you are trying to answer.
• Make as many qualitative and quantitative
  observations as you can before the experiment!!!

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Form the HYPOTHESIS

• Write the BEST POSSIBLE answer that you can think
  of to the question.
• Be sure to include a CAUSE and an EFFECT!!!!
• Write it as an If Then Statement.
• Remember, you have to be able to test your
  hypothesis!!

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Test the Hypothesis

• Perform an experiment designed to test your
  answer to the investigative question
• When performing an experiment
• Make certain that you and those in your group are
  being accurate in what you observe and measure.
• If something does not make sense with the other
  data, then RETEST the conflicting data!

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Make Observations

• During the experiment, make as many qualitative
  and quantitative observations as you can!!
• Remember to
• Make sure to pay attention to any changes that
  occur during the experiment.
• Make sure your measurements are always as
  accurate as possible.

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Analyze Data

• When studying your data from an experiment, be
  sure to look for relationships.
• Ask yourself these questions
• Is there a relationship?
• Is there a pattern?

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Draw Conclusions

• After analyzing the data, summarize the results
  of the experiment.
• The conclusion should answer the investigative
  question.
• Example
• Question-Which ball will bounce the
• highest?
• Conclusion-The golf ball bounced the
  highest.

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Communicate Results

• When sharing the results of an experiment, be
  clear and concise in the information your group
  presents to the class.
• Share the relationships or lack of relationships
  (anomalies) that are found in the results of the
  experiment.