Scientific Inquiry Process Step 2: Research your Question and
Step 3: Form a Hypothesis Created by: Mrs. Gismonde
Slide 2
Step 2: Research your Question Sometimes your science teacher
will give you the background information you need in order to
complete your experiment. This means you will not have to research
your question. However, if you are experimenting at home or
preparing for the science fair, you will need to conduct your own
research. Researching means to build your background knowledge on
the key terms and concepts pertaining to your question. Researching
will also help you to design your experiment. Researching will help
you to make an educated guess as to the outcome of your
experiment.
Slide 3
When you are preparing to start your research you should always
make a plan. The Plan 1. Identify keywords and concepts you need to
research. 2. Make a list of questions using your keywords and
concepts. Examples of Starter Questions: Who
needs/discovered/invented______? What causes _________? Where does
_______occur? When does________ cause ______? Why does __________
happen or occur? How does ___________ happen or work? 3. Make a
list of the formulas or equations (if any) that you will need to
solve your question.
Slide 4
See it in action Question: Does drinking milk help decrease the
spiciness of jalapeos better then soda? *Please Note: You are not
researching the answer to the question above. Instead you are
building your background knowledge to assist in creating your
experiment. The Plan: 1. Identifying keywords and concepts:
Keywords: Spiciness Milk Jalapeos peppers Soda Concept: Taste
Buds
Slide 5
The Plan Continued 2. Make a list of relevant questions using
all of your keywords/concepts. Example: 1. Who needs spiciness? 2.
What causes spiciness to increase or decrease? 3. Where in the body
does spiciness occur? 4. When does spiciness cause upset stomach?
5. Why do spicy foods taste hot on our taste buds? 6. How does the
tongue detect spiciness? Stop and Think: Which two questions above
would not be relevant to your research? Questions #1 and #4 Why?
Both questions are not researchable. The answers will vary based
upon personal experiences.
Slide 6
The Plan Continued 3) Research and list any formulas that
pertain to your question. (This particular experiments does not
require a formula) A sample Background Research Plan Worksheet will
now appear on your next click.Background Research Plan Worksheet
**To return to this PowerPoint, simply exit the PDF. Tips: While
you are researching your background information it might also be
helpful to: 1. Research the history of similar experiments
performed by other scientists. 2. Network: Not all information is
found in books or on the internet. Consider seeking advice from:
oScientists oMentors oTeachers oAdults oEtc.
Slide 7
Begin Researching After you create your research plan you will
need to Begin Researching It is suggested that you have at least
three different sources. Sources could include: Books Internet
Asking Experts Carefully take notes. Make sure to answer your
research questions thoroughly. Properly cite your sources and
create a bibliography. For more information on citing your sources
click here.click here
Slide 8
What to do next? After you have completed your research you
need to Step 3: Form a Hypothesis A hypothesis is a statement that
explains what a person believes will happen in a particular
experiment. Having researched background information on your
question, you will now be able to make an educated guess as to your
experiments outcome. You will be able to form a hypothesis.
Slide 9
Here are a few examples: Testable Question: How does opening
the kitchen faucet affect the flow of water ? Research: Faucets are
typically built with washers or a seal that close against a valve
to restrict water flow. When the valve is turned on it allows water
to flow from the pipes and through the faucet. Hypothesis: If I
open the kitchen faucet then it will begin the flow of water.
Testable Question: Do tomato plants need sunlight to grow?
Research: Green plants need sunlight in order to make chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is the chemical that makes plants green and is formed
through the process of photosynthesis. Without sunlight plants will
eventually loose their green color and die. Hypothesis: If a tomato
plant is placed in a dark room then it will not grow. Do you see a
pattern within these hypotheses?
Slide 10
Hypothesis Most hypothesis are written in an If
__________________, then________________ format. Some scientists
refer to this as the cause and effect relationship. If I
__(Cause)___, then __(Effect)___. Example: If I open the kitchen
faucet (cause) then it will begin the flow of water (effect). If
plants need nitrogen to grow (cause) then those plants should grow
taller (effect) than plants not given extra nitrogen.
Slide 11
Try It Complete the following cause and effect sentence
starters: If I study for a test, then I will _____________. If I
spray fertilizer on my tomato plants, then they will
______________. If I do 20 jumping jacks then my heart rate will
______________. get an A produce larger tomatoes increase
Slide 12
However scientists do not have to follow the If_____, then
______ format. A cause and effect hypothesis can be written without
using the words if and then. Examples: As nitrogen levels are
increased (cause) the plants will grow faster (effect). Plants grow
more with nitrogen (effect) because nitrogen is a nutrient that
plants need (cause).
Slide 13
Hypothesis Pattern A hypothesis will always state the cause
first, then the effect. The cause is known as the test variable The
effect is known as the outcome variable The test variable will
always cause a change in the outcome variable.
Slide 14
Remember There is only one test variable within an experiment.
There can be multiple outcome variables within an experiment.
Example: Hypothesis: If nitrogen levels are increased, then plants
will grow faster. Remember a hypothesis is written If __(test
variable)__, then __(outcome variable)___. What is the test
variable within the above hypothesis? Nitrogen levels are increased
What is the outcome variable within the above hypothesis? Plants
will grow faster
Slide 15
Remember We stated the outcome variable was: the plants grow
faster. How could you measure plant growth? Possible answers:
Measuring plant height Measuring the size of the leaves Measuring
the number of buds or flowers There are multiple ways plant growth
can be measured within this experiment.
Slide 16
Putting It Together In the last lesson we learned about
different types of variables. Click the picture of the rat to
review the memory drug experiment. Questions: What was the test
variable within this experiment? the new memory drug. What was the
outcome variable within the experiment ? the time it took to
complete the maze.
Slide 17
Writing a Hypothesis When your first learning how to write a
hypothesis sometimes its easier to use the if____, then____ format.
Fill in the blanks If a older rat is given _(test variable)_,
then_(outcome variable)_. You might have answered: If an older rat
is given the new memory drug, then the rat will decrease the time
it takes to complete the maze.
Slide 18
Krustys Experiment On the next slide you will read about an
experiment performed by Krusty the clown. Make sure to keep the
following items in mind: Question posed Test variable Outcome
variable Results/Conclusion Hypothesis
Slide 19
Sneezing Powder Read the following paragraph: Krusty the clown
was told that Achoo brand of sneezing powder is the newest on the
market. This powder claims to cause 50% longer sneezes. Interested
in this product, he buys the sneezing powder and compares it to his
old sneezing powder. Test subject (A) is sprinkled with Krustys old
sneezing powder. Test subject (B) was sprinkled with the Achoo
brand sneezing powder. Results: Subject A reported having sneezed
30 times. Subject B reported to have sneezed 45 times.
Slide 20
Question #1 Review: What was Krustys initial question? Will the
new sneezing powder causes 50% more sneezes. 1) What was the test
variable within this experiment? a) Test subjects sprinkled with
sneezing powder Test subjects sprinkled with sneezing powder b) Old
sneezing powder was sprinkled on subject A Old sneezing powder was
sprinkled on subject A c) Achoo brand sneezing powder was sprinkled
on subject B Achoo brand sneezing powder was sprinkled on subject B
d) New powder made subject B sneeze more New powder made subject B
sneeze more Click here to review the paragraph.
Slide 21
Sorry Click here to try again Need Help? Click the picture
below to read additional information on variables.
Slide 22
Great Job Click the beaker below to continue:
Slide 23
Question #2 2) What was the outcome variable within this
experiment? a) Test subjects sprinkled with sneezing powder Test
subjects sprinkled with sneezing powder b) Old sneezing powder was
sprinkled on subject A Old sneezing powder was sprinkled on subject
A c) Achoo brand sneezing powder was sprinkled on subject B Achoo
brand sneezing powder was sprinkled on subject B d) New powder made
test subjects sneeze more New powder made test subjects sneeze more
Click here to review the paragraph.
Slide 24
Sorry Click here to try again Need Help? Click the picture
below to read additional information on variables.
Slide 25
Great Job Click the beaker below to continue:
Slide 26
Question # 3 3) Identify the control group within Krustys
experiment: a) Test subjects sprinkled with sneezing powder Test
subjects sprinkled with sneezing powder b) Old sneezing powder was
sprinkled on subject A Old sneezing powder was sprinkled on subject
A c) Achoo brand sneezing powder was sprinkled on subject B Achoo
brand sneezing powder was sprinkled on subject B d) New powder made
test subject B sneeze more New powder made test subject B sneeze
more Click here to review the paragraph.
Slide 27
Sorry Click here to try again Need Help? Click the picture
below to read additional information on variables.
Slide 28
Great Job Click the beaker below to continue:
Slide 29
Question # 4 4) Write a hypothesis describing what Krusty
expected to happen within his experiment. Format: If
__________________,then______________. Possible Answer: If the new
sneezing powder is inhaled then it will make the person sneeze more
then the old sneezing powder. Click here to review the
paragraph.
Slide 30
Question # 5 5) What should Krustys conclusion be? Possible
answers: The new sneezing powder did cause test subject B to sneeze
50% more times then test subject A. Therefore the Achoo powder
fulfilled its advertising claims. Click here to review the
paragraph.
Slide 31
Mini Assessment: On a lined piece of paper answer the following
questions: 1. Why is it important to research your question? Take
the following questions and turn them into a hypothesis: 2.
Question: What effect does amount of water have on plant growth?
Hypothesis: 3. Question: What effect does using plant food (Miracle
Grow) have on plant growth? Hypothesis:
Slide 32
Try it at home Locate a magnet at your house. Find three of the
following items at your house: Wood Paper Plastic Pie tin Metal
Steel Write a hypothesis about the magnets and the materials you
found around at your house. Take your magnet and see if the magnet
sticks to these items. After analyzing your data change you
hypothesis if needed.
Slide 33
The End
Slide 34
Bibliography Bollinger, D. (n.d.). Review Sheet: Experimental
Design and Scientific Method. Retrieved June 2011, from The Earth
to Class, Lamont- Doherty Earth Observatory:
http://www.earth2class.org/docs/tchrlessonplans/bollinger_expt_design.phphttp://www.earth2class.org/docs/tchrlessonplans/bollinger_expt_design.php
Experimental designs. (n.d.). Retrieved June 2011, from
http://clcpages.clcillinois.edu/home/soc455/psycweb/research/variables.htm
http://clcpages.clcillinois.edu/home/soc455/psycweb/research/variables.htm
Identify the controls and variables. (n.d.). Retrieved June 2011,
from
http://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/controls.htmlhttp://www.biologycorner.com/worksheets/controls.html
Southwest Center for Education and the Natural Environment. (n.d.).
Retrieved June 2011, from Scientific method:
http://scene.asu.edu/habitat/s_method.html
http://scene.asu.edu/habitat/s_method.html Wikipedia. (n.d.).
Retrieved June 2011, from Homer Simpson:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer_Simpsonhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homer_Simpson
Wikipedia. (n.d.). Retrieved June 2011, from Krusty the Clown:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krusty_the_Clownhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krusty_the_Clown
Slide 35
Sneezing Powder Read the following paragraph: Krusty the clown
was told that Achoo brand of sneezing powder is the newest on the
market. This powder claims to cause 50% more sneezes. Interested in
this product, he buys the sneezing powder and compares it to his
old sneezing powder. Test subject (A) is sprinkled with Krustys old
sneezing powder. Test subject (B) was sprinkled with the Achoo
brand sneezing powder. Results: Subject A reported having sneezed
for 30 minutes. Subject B reported to have sneezed for 45 minutes.
Return to Question 1Return to Question 2Return to Question 3Return
to Question 4Return to Question 5
Slide 36
Review Review the following paragraph: Dr. Smith wants to
examine whether a new drug increases the maze running performance
of older rats. Just like humans, older rats show signs of poor
memory for new situations. Dr. Smith teaches two groups of older
rats to find a piece of cheese in the maze. One group of are rats
given the new drug while they are learning the maze. The second
group is not given the drug. After one week of learning the maze,
he retests the rats and records how long it takes them to find the
cheese. Click here to return