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1.2 Using a Scientific Approach (Scientific Method) - NOTES

Put the bold terms below into the numbered spaces of the flow chart on the other side of this paper.

1. Make observations: information ________________ by using your _______________ senses. Hearing,

____________, smelling, touching, or _____________. We don’t often taste in science. EXAMPLE – I see

that my flashlight is not working.

2. Ask a question: _____________ previous knowledge and what you want to find out about your

observations you can develop a question you’ll answer. EXAMPLE – Is it the batteries? ____________

3. Develop a hypothesis a _______________ and ________________ explanation for why something is -

____________________. Will usually _______________ what you would like the ________________ to be. We

will practice developing “________ … __________ …” statements. EXAMPLE – If I change the batteries

then the flashlight will work.

4. Test hypothesis with a controlled experiment – an experiment where only one _______________ is

changed at a time. All ___________ variables are ______________ or kept constant. A ___________ that

can _______________ in an experiment is called a variable.

a. manipulated/independent variable – what the scientist ________________, it will cause a

change in the responding variable. EXAMPLE batteries

b. responding/dependent variable – the _________________, what is __________________ in the

end, this variable changes in ________________ to the manipulated variable. EXAMPLE

flashlight working

5. Collect, analyze, and evaluate data – gather ____________, see what ___________ is telling you.

a. qualitative data –_____________ or descriptions, written ___________. EXAMPLE The light is

bright.

b. quantitative data – ____________ and measurements. EXAMPLE – The light blinked 3 times.

6. Draw a conclusion - based on your_________ you can make a ____________ about your results; you

____________ include data that supports your statement.

a. Hypothesis is supported – your data ___________ your hypothesis; ____________ tests to get

more evidence/support. EXAMPLE The light shines after I changed the batteries.

b. Hypothesis is rejected – your data ________________ support your hypothesis, revise your

_____________, hypothesis, and _____________ steps 4 -5. EXAMPLE The flashlight doesn’t

work after the batteries were changed. *** Develop _______ question: Is it the bulb?

***Develop ________ hypothesis: If I change the bulb, then the flashlight will work. ***Retest

with _______ experiment.

7. Develop Theory: a ________________ explanation for observations and __________ collected from

________ experiments. ___________ if your hypothesis is supported by _________________ tests and

_________ of evidence can a ___________ be made.

Using A Scientific Approach