Scientific Method PDF

Scientific Method Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to: 1. Describe the steps in the scientific method; 2. Explain each step in a scientific method; and 3. Apply each step in a certain scenario or in a given example. Introduc...

Scientific Method Objectives: At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to: 1. Describe the steps in the scientific method; 2. Explain each step in a scientific method; and 3. Apply each step in a certain scenario or in a given example. Introduction Science (from Latin: scientia, meaning “knowledge) is a systematic enterprise of gathering knowledge about nature and organizing condensing that knowledge into testable laws and theories. Science is a dynamic, collaborative human activity that uses distinctive ways of valuing, thinking and working to understand natural phenomena. Science is based on people’s aspirations and motivations to follow their curiosity and wonder about physical, biological and technological world. Scientific knowledge represents the constructions made by people endeavoring to explain their observations of the world around them. Scientific explanations are built in different ways as people pursue intuitive and imaginative ideas, respond in a rational way to hunches, guesses and chance events, challenge attitudes of the time, and generate solutions to problems. As a result of these endeavors, people can use their scientific understandings with confidence in their daily lives. Science has many methods of investigation, but all are based on the notion that some form of evidence is the basis for defensible conclusions. Because scientific explanations are open to scrutiny, much scientific knowledge is tentative and is continually refined in the light of new evidence. The quest to construct coherent, tested, public and useful scientific knowledge requires people in their scientific undertakings to be creative and open to new ideas, to be intellectually honest, to evaluate arguments with skepticism, and to conduct their work in ways which are ethical, fair and respectful to others. The Scientific Method The scientific method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate a natural occurrence. Steps: 1. Problem/Question 2. Observation/Research 3. Formulate a Hypothesis 4. Experiment 5. Collect and Analyze Results 6. Conclusion 7. Communicate the Results Problem/Question: In this step, you (the researcher) must decide what it is that you will be studying. It identifies exactly what you wish to learn and it allows you to focus only in that material. Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation. Observation/Research: Make observations about your problem and research (review literature) on your topic of interest. Formulate a Hypothesis: Hypothesis is an educated guess; a prediction; The hypothesis is an educated guess about the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. You may use “If”, “then” format. For example, we predict that if we drop a ball from a higher height, then it will bounce higher. “If” is the manipulated variable while “Then” is the responding variable. In this step, you predict a possible answer to the problem or question. Example: If soil temperature rise, then plant growth will increase. A very good hypothesis is TESTABLE. Experiment: Develop and follow a procedure to be able to test your hypothesis. Include a detailed materials list. Be reminded that the outcome must be measurable (quantifiable). When conducting an experiment, change one factor and keep everything else exactly the same. The one thing change is called the variable. All the things you keep the same are called controls.  In the experiment, there should be control (untreated) and experimental (treated) group. These groups should be replicated (repeatable). In a scientific experiment, the control is the group that serves as the standard of comparison. The control group is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group, except for the variable being tested. All experiments should have a control group. The control group may be a “no treatment” or an “experimenter selected” group. The constants in an experiment are all the factors that the experimenter attempts to keep the same. There is a relationship in the variables used in the control and experimental group. The independent variable is the manipulated variable while the dependent variable is the responding variable. Collect and Analyze Results: Modify the procedure if needed. Confirm the results by retesting. Include tables, graphs, and photographs in organizing the data. There are two types of observations – qualitative and quantitative observations. Qualitative observations (quality): there are observations usually made with out senses, such as color, shape, feel, taste, and sound. Quantitative observation: (quantity) involves “how many”, this will always have a number or based on exact measurement. The information or results you get when you test the variable is called your data. Independent vs. Dependent variable Independent variable is the thing you changed in your experiment; should be placed on the left side of the data table. The independent, or manipulated variable, is a factor that’s intentionally varied by the experimenter. Dependent variable is the one that changes with the independent variable. The dependent, or responding variable, is the factor that may change as a result of changes made in the independent variable; should be on the right side of a data table. Inference: A logical interpretation of an event that is based on observations and prior knowledge. Sometimes scientist use scientific models to represent things they cannot directly study. Conclusion: Include a statement that accepts or rejects the hypothesis. This has been based from the results of the experiment and analysis of data. Make recommendations for further study and possible improvements to the procedure. A hypothesis can be elevated into a theory. A theory is an explanation that is based on many observations during repeated experiments that is valid only if it is consistent with observations; makes predictions that can be tested and is the simplest explanation. It is a logical, time tested explanation for events that occur in nature. So, the theory of gravity, theory of electricity, the germ theory of disease, and the theory of evolution are tested, accepted explanations for events that occur in nature. Theories can really never be completely proven, only disproven. When new evidence comes, we must modify our theory or at times even get rid of it and start over again.  Communicate the Results: Be prepared to present the project to an audience like in your institution or a meeting. You can submit your paper for a presentation in a forum or in a conference. Expect questions from the audience. Or you may publish your paper in a journal or other print materials.