Kumari Tilakaratne

Beliefs Biases Perceptions

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A C

We all see the world differently

Truth

non truth

Scientists over the centuries found they faced the same problem when it came to sorting out the truth from non truths. To solve A scientist often credited with being the first to the problem, scientific method is Francesco Redi, an employ thethey devised a methodical framework within which to work. This framework 1697. Italian physician who lived from 1626 until is called the scientific method, and it's extremely important to solve a problem.

Scientific method requires intelligence, imagination, and creativity.

What is scientific method?

The scientific method is a tool that helps scientists and the rest of us to solve problems and determine answers to questions in a logical format. It provides step-by-step, general directions to help us work through problems.

There are five steps to the scientific method

Identify a problem. Research the problem. Formulate a hypothesis. Conduct an experiment. Reach a conclusion.

problem ??? pen torch doesn't work You think back to the last time your pen torch didn't work, and you remember that it was because of worn-out wornbatteries. batteries. You guess that worn-out wornbatteries is the reason this time as well
So you get some new batteries from the drawer next to your bed and replace the ones in your pen torch. torch.

Oh! pen torch works. finished the great book !

you're faced with the problem of not being able to read pen torch because your doesn't work, and you're not happy about it. You think back to the last time your pen torch didn't work, and you remember that it was because of wornout batteries. You guess that worn-out batteries is the reason your pen torch isn't working now, so you get some new batteries from the drawer next to your bed and replace the ones in your pen torch. Oh! Your pen torch works.

Identify a problem.

Research the problem.

Formulate a hypothesis. Conduct an experiment.

Reach a conclusion.

Scientific method

Science Project Topics to Avoid

Why Such experiments don't involve the Any topic that boils down to a kinds of numerical measurements simple preference or taste we want in a science fair project. comparison. For example, "Which They are more of a survey than an tastes better: Coke or Pepsi? experiment. These projects only have scientific validity if the Investigator fully Most consumer product testing of understands the science behind the "Which is best?" type. This why the product works and applies includes comparisons of popcorn, that understanding to the bubblegum, make-up, detergents, experiment. The science behind cleaning products, and paper towels. them is often at the level of a graduate student in college. Any topic that requires people to The data tends to be unreliable. recall things they did in the past.

Science Project Topics to Avoid

Why Several people do this project at Effect of colored light on plants almost every science fair. You can be more creative! Effect of music or talking on plants Difficult to measure. The result is either obvious (the Effect of running, music, video heart beats faster when you run) or games, or almost anything on difficult to measure with proper blood pressure controls (the effect of music). Highly subjective and difficult to Effect of color on memory, emotion, measure. mood, taste, strength, etc. Any topic that requires measurements that will be extremely Without measurement, you can't do difficult to make or repeat, given science. your equipment.

What Makes a Good Science Fair Project Question? Is the topic interesting enough to read about ? Can you find at least 3 sources of written information on the subject? Can you measure changes to the important factors (variables) using a number that represents a quantity such as a count, percentage, length, width, weight, voltage, velocity, energy, time, etc.? Or, just as good, are you measuring a factor (variable) that is simply present or not present? For example,
yLights ON yUSE

For a Good Science Fair Project Question, You Should Answer "Yes" to Every Question Yes / No Yes / No

Yes / No

in one trial, then lights OFF in another trial,

fertilizer in one trial, then DON'T USE fertilizer in another trial.

Can you design a "fair test" to answer your question? In other words, can you change only one factor (variable) at a time, and control other factors that might influence your experiment, so that they do not interfere? Is your experiment safe to perform? Do you have all the materials and equipment you need for your science project, or will you be able to obtain them quickly and at a very low cost? Do you have enough time to do your experiment more than once before the science project closing date?

Yes / No Yes / No Yes / No Yes / No

What Makes a Good Reference?

For a Good Reference, You Should Answer "Yes" to Every Question

Does your reference come from a credible source? Is your reference current? Is your reference objectively written, not biased towards one point of view? Is your reference free of errors? Does your reference properly cite its original sources?

Yes / No Yes / No

Yes / No

Yes / No Yes / No

Is the reference easy for other people to find or obtain?

Yes / No

What Makes a Good Hypothesis?

For a Good Hypothesis, You Should Answer "Yes" to Every Question

Is the hypothesis based on information contained in the Research Proposal?

Yes / No

Does the hypothesis include the independent and dependent variables?

Yes / No

Have you worded the hypothesis clearly so that it can be tested in an experiment?

Yes / No

Variables
A variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types. 1.Independent 1.Independent 2.Dependent 2.Dependent 3.Controlled 3.Controlled The independent variable is the one that is changed by the scientist. As the scientist changes the independent variable, he or she observes what happens. The scientist focuses his or her observations on the dependent variable to see how it responds to the change made to the independent variable. Experiments also have controlled variables. Controlled variables are quantities that a scientist wants to remain constant, and he must observe them as carefully as the dependent variables.

Question

Independent Variable Dependent Variables (What I change) (What I observe)

Controlled Variables (What I keep the same)

Does an electric Voltage of the motor turn faster electricity measured if you increase thein volts voltage?

Speed of rotation measured in revolutions per minute (RPMs)

Same motor for every test

Independent Variable Dependent Variables Question (What I change) (What I observe)

Controlled Variables

(What I keep the same)

How much water Water faucet opening Amount of water The Faucet flows through a (closed, half open, flowing measured in Water pressure, or how much faucet at different fully open) liters per minute the water is "pushing openings?

Independent Variable Question (What I change)

Dependent Variables

Controlled Variables

(What I observe)

(What I keep the same) Stirring Type of sugar

Does heating a Temperature of the Amount of sugar that cup of water allow water measured in dissolves completely it to dissolve degrees Centigrade measured in grams more sugar?

Question

Independent Variable Dependent Variables (What I change) (What I observe)

Controlled Variables (What I keep the same)

Growth of the plant Same size pot for each plant Same type of plant in each pot Does fertilizer 1.measured by its Same type and amount of soil Amount of fertilizer make a plant grow height in each pot measured in grams bigger? 2.measured by the Same amount of water and number of leaves light 3.more ways to Make measurements of measure plant growth for each plant at the growth same time

What Makes for Good Variables?

For Good Variables, You Should Answer "Yes" to Every Question Yes / No Yes / No

Is the independent variable measurable? Can you change the independent variable during the experiment?

Have you identified all relevant dependent variables, and are they all caused by and dependent on the independent variable? Are all dependent variable(s) measurable? Have you identified all relevant controlled variables? Can all controlled variables be held at a steady value during the experiment?

Yes / No

Yes / No Yes / No

Yes / No

What Makes a Good Experimental Procedure?

For a Good Experimental Procedure, You Should Answer "Yes" to Every Question Yes / No Yes / No Yes / No

Have you included a description and size for all experimental and control groups? Have you included a step-by-step list of all procedures? Have you described how to the change independent variable and how to measure that change? Have you explained how to measure the resulting change in the dependent variable or variables? Have you explained how the controlled variables will be maintained at a constant value? Have you specified how many times you intend to repeat the experiment (should be at least three times), and is that number of repetitions sufficient to give you reliable data? The ultimate test: Can another individual duplicate the experiment based on the experimental procedure you have written?

Yes / No Yes / No

Yes / No

Yes / No

What Makes a Good Science Experiment?

For a Good Science Experiment, You Should Answer "Yes" to Every Question

Did you take detailed notes about your observations and record them in your laboratory notebook? Did you collect your data using a data table? Were you consistent, careful, and accurate when you made your measurements? Were you careful to insure that your controlled variables remained constant so as not to affect your results? If you ran into any unexpected problems, did you adjust your experimental procedure accordingly?

Yes / No

Yes / No Yes / No

Yes / No

Yes / No

Data analysis

What Makes for a Good Data Analysis Chart?

For a Good Chart, You Should Answer "Yes" to Every Question

Is there sufficient data to know whether your hypothesis is correct? Is your data accurate?

Yes / No

Yes / No

Does your chart specify units of measurement for all data?

Yes / No

Have you verified that all calculations (if any) are correct?

Yes / No

What Makes for a Good Graph?

For a Good Graph, You Should Answer "Yes" to Every Question

Have you selected the appropriate graph type for the data you are displaying? Does your graph have a title? Have you placed the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependent variable on the y-axis?

Yes / No

Yes / No

Yes / No

Have you labeled the axes correctly and specified the units of measurement?

Yes / No

Does your graph have the proper scale (the appropriate high and low values on the axes)? Is your data plotted correctly and clearly?

Yes / No

Yes / No

What Makes for Good Conclusions?

For Good Conclusions, You Should Answer "Yes" to Every Question

Do you summarize your results and use it to support the findings?

Yes / No

Do your conclusions state that you proved or disproved your hypothesis?

Yes / No

If appropriate, do you state the relationship between the independent and dependent variable?

Yes / No

Do you summarize and evaluate your experimental procedure, making comments about its success and effectiveness?

Yes / No

Do you suggest changes in the experimental procedure and/or possibilities for further study?

Yes / No