Scientific Method: Concepts, Steps, and Data Representation

Name: Fabian Pinto

Values: Responsibility

Attitude: Interest

Grade: 8-B

Date: 26/8/14

Key Scientific Concepts

1. Experiments

An experiment is a methodical process carried out to verify, establish, or falsify the validity of a hypothesis.

2. Observation

Observation involves systematic and recordable accounts of information.

3. Hypothesis

A hypothesis is an explanation of a phenomenon that can be tested to prove or disprove it.

4. Variable

A variable is a value that can change depending on conditions or information passed to a program.

5. Data

Data is information translated into a form that is more convenient to move or process.

Scientific Methods

6. What are Scientific Methods?

The scientific method is a body of techniques for investigating phenomena, acquiring new knowledge, or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

7. Steps of the Scientific Method

The process involves making conjectures, deriving predictions from them as logical consequences, and carrying out experiments based on those predictions to determine if the original conjecture was correct.

• Formulation of a question: The question can refer to the explanation of a specific observation, such as why is the sky blue?
• Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a conjecture based on knowledge of the behavior of a part of our universe.
• Prediction: The more unlikely a prediction would be correct simply by coincidence, the stronger the evidence.
• Testing: This is an investigation of whether the real world behaves as predicted by the hypothesis.
• Analysis: This involves determining what the results of the experiments show and deciding on the next actions to take.

8. Application of Different Methods

Different methods apply to different scientific situations through:

• Synthesis of ideas
• Predictions
• Theory

9. Confirming Investigation Validity

An investigation is confirmed as valid through:

• Testing: Observing the experiments.
• Analysis: Proving that the hypothesis and testing are true, and knowing that the analysis is correct or false.

Representing Data

1. Data

Data is a set of values of qualitative or quantitative variables. Restated pieces of data are individual pieces of information.

2. Why Scientists Use Graphs

Scientists use graphs to display their data and see their evaluations. It’s necessary to understand the differences in their trends and experiments.

3. Characteristics of Graphs

• Bar graphs: All bars have the same width with equal intervals. They make comparisons between different variables very easy to see. Given one variable, the value of the other can be easily determined.
• Line graphs: A line graph has a vertical axis and a horizontal axis. They enable the viewer to make predictions about the results of data not yet recorded.
• Circle graphs: They are circular-shaped graphs with the entire circle representing the whole. The circle is split into parts.

4. Dependent Variable

A dependent variable is what you measure in the experiment and what is affected during the experiment.

5. Independent Variable

An independent variable is the variable that you have control over, what you can choose and manipulate.

6. What is a Model?

A model is a representation of data of a system that allows for investigation of the properties of the system and, in some cases, prediction of the future. A model can come in many shapes, sizes, and styles.

7. Physical Model

A physical model is a representation of data design that takes into account the facilities and constraints of a given management system. Examples include a solar system and an atom.

8. Mathematical Model

A mathematical model is a mathematical relationship or set of relationships, usually expressed as equations, that claim to describe a real-world phenomenon reasonably well. Example: demand for electric power cannot be predicted exactly as a function of the outside temperature, but a pretty good estimate can be found using a quadratic function.