Aaron J. Powner, M.Ed.
High School Science Teacher
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1. Notice interesting objects or phenomena
2. Try to understand them
3. Use this information to do something useful
Observation and Inquiry
- Perceive an object or phenomenon
- Formulate questions
Literature Review
- Has anyone already studied this object or phenomenon?
- Review all existing knowledge related to the questions
Hypothesis and Prediction
- Based on observations and literature review, propose an answer to the question
- Predict what will happen if the hypothesis is tested using an "If..., then..." statement.
Experimental Design
- A good experiment will test important variables of the prediction one at a time
- Independent Variable (aka Manipulated Variable) - the condition that is changed on purpose to see what happens
- Dependent Variable (aka Responding Vairable) - the measurment of what happens as a result of the changed independent variable
- Control - the version of the test in which the independent variable is not changed - natural conditions
- Trials - repetitions of each version of an experiment to gather large pools of data
- Data Table - a method for recording data in an organized way
Infer Meaning
- Analysis of the data to determine what the results mean
- Quantitative Data - measurements that produce numeric data
- Qualitative Data - observations recorded during the experiment (non-numeric)
- Statistical Analysis - graphing data to find patterns, finding mean/media/mode of data, calculating standard deviation and percent error (degree of certainty)
Draw Conclusions
- State whether the data supports or refutes the hypothesis
- Use logical arguments
- Identify potential sources of error
Reporting Findings
- Formal article to communicate findings/discoveries
- Elements of formal report include:
- Anstract
- Introduction
- Materials and Methods
- Results
- Discussion
- Acknowledgments
- References
- Guide to Writing Science Journal Articles
- Example Professional Sciene Journal Article
Peer Review
- Other scientists in similar fields of research are invited to read the journal article before it is published
- Once published, science research facilities commision groups of researchers to repeat imporant experiments to verify the published findings
- These peers often communicate critiques of experimental design, further questions about the hypothesis, and suggest topics for further research
Define and Delimit a Problem
- What is the design for?
- What are the criteria and constraints of a successful solution?
Develop Possible Solutions
- Brain Storming
- Specifying solutions that meet the criteria and constraints
- Model and test solutions
Optimize Solutions
- Compare and improve solutions
- Select "best fit" solution
- Modification of criteria and constraints as needed