Scientific Inquiry

Posing Questions

• After making observations and inferences many scientists will find themselves posing questions based on their observation.

• Ex. Does the size of a shadow depend on the distance between the light and the object?

Developing Hypotheses• Developing a testable hypothesis is the next step. • A hypothesis is a possible answer to a scientific

question or explanation for a set of observations.

• Hypotheses have to be able to be tested. • Ex. Changing the distance between an object and a

light source changes the size of the object’s shadow.

Developing Hypotheses

• Hypotheses are not facts. They must be tested with multiple experiments before they can be proved to be true or false.

Designing an Experiment

• Experiments are used to test a hypothesis.

• Variables are examined first

• A variable is a factor that can change in an experiment.

Designing an Experiment

• Only one variable should be changed at a time.

• That variable is known as the manipulated variable (or independent variable)

• The variable that we expect to change as a result of the manipulated variable is known as the responding variable (dependant variable).

Designing an Experiment

• All other variables must be kept constant.

• This type of experiment is known as a controlled experiment.

Collecting and Interpreting Data

• Data are the facts figures and other evidence gathered through observations.

• Graphs are used to interpret quantitative data because they reveal trends or patterns in the data.

Drawing Conclusions

• After interpreting data, scientists draw a conclusion about their hypothesis.

• A conclusion states whether or not the data

supports the hypothesis.

• Sources of error and further experiments can also be discussed.

Communicating

• The act of sharing your process, ideas and conclusions with others through writing or speaking.