Inquiry TestInquiry Test

““What do I need to study?” asked What do I need to study?” asked the curious student.the curious student.

““Well, everything that we have Well, everything that we have covered so far.” replied the covered so far.” replied the wonderful science teacher.wonderful science teacher.

Observations and Observations and InferencesInferences ObservationsObservations--5 senses--5 senses Two classifications of observationsTwo classifications of observations

Quantitative (5 senses and/or tools with #’s)Quantitative (5 senses and/or tools with #’s) Qualitative (only the 5 senses and words)Qualitative (only the 5 senses and words)

InferencesInferences—guesses about what observations mean; an —guesses about what observations mean; an explanation or interpretation of an observation based on explanation or interpretation of an observation based on prior experiences or supportedprior experiences or supported

LogicalLogical Can be more than on explanationCan be more than on explanation Must do additional research to determine actual causeMust do additional research to determine actual cause

QuestionQuestion

Scientific questions-testableScientific questions-testable Iv & DV includedIv & DV included

ResearchResearch

Reliable sourcesReliable sources Adequate number of sourcesAdequate number of sources

HypothesisHypothesis

Prediction of the expected outcome of Prediction of the expected outcome of the investigationthe investigation

Based on research (educated guess)Based on research (educated guess) If (IV), then (DV), because (research).If (IV), then (DV), because (research).

Experimental PlanExperimental Plan Identify variablesIdentify variables

IV—cause, manipulated variable, input, variable IV—cause, manipulated variable, input, variable changed on purpose by the investigator, graphed on changed on purpose by the investigator, graphed on x-axisx-axis

DV—effect, response, responding variable, output, DV—effect, response, responding variable, output, changes in response to the change in the IV, graphed changes in response to the change in the IV, graphed on the y-axison the y-axis

Controlled variables (constants)—variables that must Controlled variables (constants)—variables that must be kept constant so that they don’t affect the outcome be kept constant so that they don’t affect the outcome of the investigationof the investigation

MIX DRYMIX DRY

Step-by-step procedureStep-by-step procedure Plan for controlling variables (constants)Plan for controlling variables (constants) Plan for control group and experimental Plan for control group and experimental

groupsgroups Plan for appropriate tools to be used Plan for appropriate tools to be used

correctly and accurately each timecorrectly and accurately each time Plan for repeated trialsPlan for repeated trials Plan for adequate sample sizePlan for adequate sample size Plan for safetyPlan for safety

Experimental PlanExperimental Plan

Step-by-step procedureStep-by-step procedure Plan for accurate measurementsPlan for accurate measurements Plan to measure at least twice each and Plan to measure at least twice each and

every time you take measurements of any every time you take measurements of any kindkind

Plan for gathering, recording, and organizing Plan for gathering, recording, and organizing data (charts, tables, etc.)data (charts, tables, etc.)

Experimental PlanExperimental Plan

Plan for analyzing data (graphs, patterns, Plan for analyzing data (graphs, patterns, relationships, mean, median, mode, etc.)relationships, mean, median, mode, etc.) Bar graph-when both qualitative and quantitative Bar graph-when both qualitative and quantitative

data are gathereddata are gathered Line graph-when quantitative data is gathered, Line graph-when quantitative data is gathered,

change over time is change over time is alwaysalways graphed on a line graphed on a line graphgraph

Experimental PlanExperimental Plan

Materials list—after the step-by-step Materials list—after the step-by-step procedure has been written, a detailed procedure has been written, a detailed materials list must be createdmaterials list must be created

Experimental PlanExperimental Plan

Gather DataGather Data

Conduct the experiment and gather data Conduct the experiment and gather data in the chart of table that you have in the chart of table that you have planned for in the step-by-step planned for in the step-by-step procedure/experimental planprocedure/experimental plan

Gather data from at least three trialsGather data from at least three trials Gather data from an adequate number of Gather data from an adequate number of

samples in each groupsamples in each group

Analyze DataAnalyze Data

Graph data and look for patterns/relationships Graph data and look for patterns/relationships between the IV and DVbetween the IV and DV If the IV and DV are both increasing=direct If the IV and DV are both increasing=direct

proportion, direct relationship, positive relationshipproportion, direct relationship, positive relationship If the IV and DV are both decreasing=sameIf the IV and DV are both decreasing=same If the IV is increasing and DV variable is If the IV is increasing and DV variable is

decreasing=inverse proportion/inverse relationship, decreasing=inverse proportion/inverse relationship, negative relationshipnegative relationship

Analyze DataAnalyze Data

Graph data and look for Graph data and look for patterns/relationships between the IV and patterns/relationships between the IV and DVDV If the points on the graph are scattered all If the points on the graph are scattered all

over the place=no relationshipover the place=no relationship

ConcludeConclude

Conclusion must include:Conclusion must include: Restate the hypothesisRestate the hypothesis State whether or not the results support the State whether or not the results support the

hypothesishypothesis Explain how you know whether the results Explain how you know whether the results

support the hypothesis or notsupport the hypothesis or not

CommunicateCommunicate

Communication is last step of scientific Communication is last step of scientific methodmethod