Fichas
Unit 1 How do you do science?
Fichas del conjunto (12)
- 1What are Methods of InvestigationLaboratory experiments (how do cells work?)
Fieldwork (animal behavior)
Surveys (number of organisms in the soil)
Models (test design of new aircraft) - 2How do you solve a problem?1)Problem
2)Research what is known
3)Formulate a hypothesis
4)Do an experiment
5)Interpret your results
6)Draw a conclusion
7)Communicate findings - 3How do you know your research question is good?1)Verification - Quick Check “YES” or “NO” => NOT GOOD (too limited)
2)Opinion based – too subjective
3)Big Question - a trip to the library would answer the question => NOT GOOD FOR SPECIFIC INVESTIGATIONS
4)Research Question - Have Independent and Dependent Variables - “Do-able” yes - 4HypothesisTentative explanation for a set of observations:
“If… then… because” - 5A good hypothesis:Can be tested and the test can be repeated
Can be quantified
Specifies the independent and dependent variables
Does not judge moral values or opinions
It is neither too specific nor too general
It is a prediction of consequences
It is considered valuable even if proven false
Should be written before you begin your experiment - 6When doing experiments...Repetition is important: more trials → more accuracy
Factors that could be changed: variable
- dependent: what you measure
- independent: what you change
Factors that must stay the same: controlled variables
Control group: used for comparison - 7TheoriesWell-tested explanation based on lots of evidence
Details can change with more evidence - 8Writing your methodshould be a step-by-step recipe
good procedures:
allow people to replicate your experiment and get the same results every time
are clear
show quantities
don’t assume people know what you want them to do! - 9Qualitative Datashows a description, quality
is observed, not measured
colour, smell, shape, taste - 10Quantitativeshows numbers, quantities
is measured
length, height, volume, mass, age - 11TablesContain:
Descriptive Title
Not good: “Height”
Good: “Height (cm) reached by the tennis ball”
Units
cm
ml
s
Columns/Rows labeled
Trials
Mass of sugar (g)
Pressure (psi)
Time (s) - 12GraphsTypes of graphs: line, scatter, bar, pie, etc
How to decide?
Graphs usually show AVERAGES
All graphs should contain the same basic info found in tables (title, units, labels, etc)