The Nature of Science

Let’s talk SCIENCE!

All science is a process of inquiry

• We can only study problems in the natural world that can be understood using the processes of science

– Scientists use the 5 senses to observe and evaluate

– Theories can change; we don’t have all the answers or solutions!

Science

6 Criteria: *Must meet ALL 6 criteria to be scientific!

“CONPTT”

• Consistency: the results of repeated observations and/or experiments concerning a naturally occurring event are reasonably the same

Science

6 Criteria: “CONPTT”

• Observable: the event under study can be observed and explained.

– Observations are limited to the basic human senses.

Science

6 Criteria: “CONPTT”

• Natural: a natural cause must be used to explain why or how the naturally occurring event happens. – Scientists cannot use supernatural explanations as

to why or how naturally occurring events happen

– Reference to the supernatural is outside the realm of science

Science

6 Criteria: “CONPTT”

• Predictable: the cause of the naturally occurring event can be used to make specific predictions

– Based on your observations, you can make predictions (hypotheses)

Science

6 Criteria: “CONPTT”

• Testable: the cause of the naturally occurring event must be testable through the processes of science

– You must be able to measure it in some way!

– References to the supernatural events or causes are not relevant tests

Science

6 Criteria: “CONPTT”

• Tentative: scientific theories are subject to revision and correction, even to the point of the theory being proven wrong.– Scientific theories will be continue to be modified to

consistently explain observations of naturally occurring events

– As technology improves, so does our ability to make better observations

Near Science

• Also known as “Protoscience”

– It conforms to most of the CONPTT criteria, but typically falls short in 1-2 criteria

– Limited by current knowledge or technology

• Example: mental telepathy (information transmitted from one brain to another)

Non-Science

• An area of knowledge which does not meet the criteria of science (CONPTT)

– Topics areas may be very logical and based on good reasoning, but simply do not fall within the realm of science

• Examples: personal opinions

False-Science

• Also known as “pseudoscience”

– It can be portrayed and advertised as legitimate science by its followers and supporters

– Phenomena conflict with known physical laws

• Example: fortune-telling

Check for Understanding

• Tell whether the statement IS or IS NOT a scientific statement.

1. Walking under a ladder causes bad luck.

NOT scientific! Meets none of the criteria.

Check for Understanding

• Tell whether the statement IS or IS NOT a scientific statement.

2. Some plants eat meat.

This IS scientific! We can OBSERVE this, and it meets all of the remaining criteria too.

Check for Understanding

• Tell whether the statement IS or IS NOT a scientific statement.

3. Life comes from life, and it doesn’t come from anywhere else.

This IS scientific! It meets all the criteria.

Is it Scientific?

All living things are made of cells.

• Working silently and independently complete the CONPTT worksheet for the statement above (7 min)

• Now, check your answers and discuss with your partner (3 min)

1.3: The Scientific Method

• The scientific method is a cycle that scientists follow that ensures the CONPTT requirements are met

– All steps can be repeated

– There is no beginning or end of the cycle

Steps of the Scientific Method

Observe

Form Hypothesis

Test Hypothesis

Analyze Data

Evaluate Results

The Scientific Method

Observations

• Qualitative Data: use only the 5 senses

• Quantitative Data: a numerical measurement (have a number)

Observe

Qualitative Quantitative

Observations vs. Inferences

• Observations: use only the senses to describe (NEVER taste)

• Inferences: a conclusion that you have based on evidence and reasoning

*Expand your concept map from “observe” so that it somehow includes this information!

InferenceObserve

Qualitative Quantitative

Observation vs Inference

• What can you observe?

• What can you infer?

Making a Hypothesis

• Once you’ve observed, you’re ready to make a hypothesis

• Hypothesis: a prediction based on your observations

– Phrased as an “if.., then…” statement (ex. If I go to bed early, then I won’t wake up as tired.”

Performing Experiments

• There are several important parts to any experiment:– Independent Variable: what you’re testing; what you

manipulate

– Dependent Variable: the result; what you look for

– Constant: anything that doesn’t change

– Control: basis for comparison; you don’t change anything; “standard” conditions

• *Add these to your concept map (test hypothesis section)

Performing Experiments

Test Hypothesis

ControlIndependent

Variable

ConstantDependent

Variable

Check for Understanding-Discuss with your partner!-

• Situation: You want to know if your cat prefers a particular brand of food compared to the off-brand variety. What is the:

– Independent Variable?

– Dependent Variable?

– Constant?

– Control?

Check for Understanding-Discuss with your partner!-

• Situation: You want to know if your cat prefers a particular brand of food compared to the off-brand variety. What is the:

– Independent Variable? Brand of cat food

– Dependent Variable? Likelihood of being eaten

– Constant? Amount, wet or dry, time of day…

– Control? The cat’s usual off-brand food

Analyze Data

• What were the results of your experiment?

• Patterns? Trends?

Evaluating Your Results

• Time to reach conclusions

– What did you learn during the experiment?

– Did your results match your hypothesis?

Practice Scenario

• You’ve noticed that many of your classmates are frequently on their phones. You want to know if the time spent on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc.) affects your classmates’ grades.

• Looking at your map of the scientific method, how could we test this?

Left-Hand Activity: Practice Scenario

• What would your hypothesis be?

• How would you test your theory?

– Identify each step of the experiment

Exit Ticket 1.3

Exit Ticket1. What are the 6 criteria of science? – just one-word

answers please! (1/2 point ea.)2. True or false: the scientific method always starts and

ends in the same way and same step (1 point)3. You want to know if using fertilizer on plants increases

their growth rate. Identify the following: (1 point each)a) Independent variableb) Dependent variablec) Constantd) Control

4. “I saw ice in the water last week, so I think the lake water will still be cold.” Is this an observation or inference? (1 point)