NeSA INQUIRY, THE NATURE OF SCIENCE, AND TECHNOLOGY Abilities to do Scientific Inquiry SC 12.1.1 Students will design and conduct investigations that lead to the use of logic and evidence in the formulation of scientific explanations and models. Formulate a testable hypothesis supported by prior knowledge to guide an investigation A scientific hypothesis is a prediction which can be tested through controlled experimentation. Scientists base their hypotheses on observations, questions, previous knowledge (knowledge of scientific literature) and interpretations (biases). 1. Which of the following is/are commonly used to establish a hypothesis? a. scientific literature b. observations c. previous personal knowledge d. all of these 2. A hypothesis must be both a prediction and be testable. a. true b. false Standard-SC 12.1.1.a 2 1. (d) all of the above Scientists design hypotheses based on observations of events, previous knowledge they have, knowledge that is contained in scientific literature and interpretations they have regarding possible relationships they can predict. Hypothesis propose a logical outcomes of events that occur through manipulating variables. 2. (a) true In order for a hypothesis to be tested in a scientific experiment it must make a prediction based on changes in independent variables and must be a statement that can be tested through controlled experimentation. Key Terms hypothesis a testable statement about the natural world that can be used to develop inferences and explanations Standard-SC 12.1.1.a 3 1
Design and conduct logical and sequential scientific investigations with repeated trials and apply findings to new investigations The scientific method is the process by which scientists conduct controlled experiments. This form of scientific inquiry tests single variables (independent variable) by measuring its affect on another variable (dependent variable) 1. The variable that is altered by the scientist in a controlled experiment is identified as a. independent b. dependent c. controlled 2. A controlled variable is a. changed in each trial b. allowed to change in trials c. held constant in each trial Standard-SC 12.1.1.b 4 1. (a) independent A scientists purposefully alters ONE variable in an experiment in order to test changes in another variable. 2. (c) held constant in each trial Controlled variables are conditions in an experiment that should not affect the dependent variable. These should be the same for all individual trials. Key Terms control group experimental group a group of subjects, closely resembling the experimental group but not receiving the factor under study, which serves as a comparison to the experimental group a group of subjects which receive the factor under study Standard-SC 12.1.1.b 5 SC 12.1.1.c Identify and manage variables and constraints Scientific investigations are designed to test one variables (independent variable) influence on another variable (dependent variable) while attempting to keep all other variables constant (controlled variables). 1. A study comparing the weight gain in mice due to the amount of fat in their diet was conducted. What is the independent variable? a. amount of fat b. weight gain c. mass of food 2. In the same study above, what is the dependent variable? a. amount of fat b. weight gain c. mass of food Standard-SC 12.1.1.c 6 2
1. (a) amount of fat The research was studying the amount of fat in the diet and how it affects the weight gain in mice. The amount of fat in the diet was determined by the scientist and the weight gain by the mice was an effect of fat changes. The amount of fat is the independent variable because it is the variable that was purposefully changed. 2. (b) weight gain The weight gain by the mice was analyzed by comparing it to the amount of fat in the diets of the mice. The weight gain is considered dependent on amount of fat. Standard-SC 12.1.1.c 7 Select and use lab equipment and technology appropriately and accurately In order to conduct sound scientific investigations scientists must use appropriate equipment, data collecting instruments/devices and analyze data using appropriate means. Much of the collecting and analysis of data is done with technology. 1. In order to test the acidity of a solution, a scientist would need a a. balance b. scale c. ph meter d. meter stick 2. What measure would a beaker or flask be able to provide? a. mass b. length c. density d. volume Standard-SC 12.1.1.d 8 1. (c) a ph meter ph meters measure the acidity of a solution based on the concentration of hydrogen ions (H + ) that exist in solution. The greater the concentration of hydrogen ions, the higher the acidity and the lower on the ph scale it is. Acids have ph values which are less than 7 and bases have ph values greater than 7 2. (d) volume Beakers and flasks measure the volume of liquids (or gases) in the container. Standard-SC 12.1.1.d 9 3
Use tools and technology to make detailed qualitative and quantitative observations During a scientific investigation scientists must be able to make observations and measures which are free of bias. Two types of observations are quantitative (numeric) and qualitative (a description). 1. An observation that describes the color of an objective would be a. qualitative b. quantitative c. neither 2. A quantitative observation can be a. a count b. a measure c. both a & b Standard-SC 12.1.1.e 10 1. (a) qualitative Qualitative observations describe the physical attributes of an object. Examples are color, shape, texture, odor and taste. 2. (c) both a & b Quantitative observations are numeric descriptions of an object. Two ways that numeric observations can be made are counting objects or measuring objects. Measures can include mass, volume, length, density, brightness, and area. Standard-SC 12.1.1.e 11 Represent and review collected data in a systematic, accurate, and objective manner Scientists normally collect data from experiments and organize it into tables where changes in the dependent variables are recorded in relation to changes in the independent variable. Student finger length (cm) finger circumference (cm) Luke 8.1 8.0 Angelina 5.1 4.2 Marcie 4.2 4.5 Pham 7.2 6.3 Wendy 5.6 4.9 1. Which student has the second longest finger? a. Luke b. Wendy c. Pham d. Marcie 2. Which student has the smallest length to circumference ratio? a. Luke b. Angelina c. Wendy d. Marcie Standard-SC 12.1.1.f 12 4
1. (c) Pham Luke has the longest finger (8.1 cm) and Pham has the second longest (7.2 cm) 2. (d) Marcie Marcie has the lowest ratio of length to circumference. She is the only student who has a finger which is shorter than the circumference. This puts her ratio lower than 1. All other students have ratios greater than 1 because their lengths are greater than their circumferences. Student finger length (cm) finger circumference (cm) Luke 8.1 8.0 Angelina 5.1 4.2 Marcie 4.2 4.5 Pham 7.2 6.3 Wendy 5.6 4.9 Standard-SC 12.1.1.f 13 Analyze and interpret data, synthesize ideas, formulate and evaluate models, and clarify concepts and explanations Upon completing a scientific experiment and collecting non biased data, a scientist must analyze the data and represent the results in a way that shows the relationship between the dependent and independent variable. Graphs are usually used to represent these relationships. 1. Which region of the brain has the most receptor binding sites? a. 1 b. 2 c. 3 d. 4 2. If region 1 is the outer most region and 4 is the inner most region, where are most receptor binding sites found? a. outer b. inner c. they are the same Standard-SC 12.1.1.g 14 1. (b) 2 Brain region #2 has over 50 binding sites where the other three regions have less than 40 binding sites. 2. (a) outer The outer regions ( regions 1 & 2) have more receptors than the inner regions (regions 3 & 4) Key Terms theory a well substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world that can incorporate facts, laws, inferences, and tested hypotheses Standard-SC 12.1.1.g 15 5
Use results to verify or refute a hypothesis A conclusion is a statement that uses the results from an experiment to explain whether a hypothesis can be accepted, refuted or needs modification. 1. A conclusion has to be a statement which answers the validity of a a. hypothesis b. result c. data d. observation 2. The conclusion should describe the relationship between the dependent variable and the a. controlled variable b. dependent variable c. independent variable Standard-SC 12.1.1.h 16 1. (a) hypothesis The conclusion needs to explain whether the data & results supported or did not support the hypothesis. 2. (c) independent Remember the hypothesis is a prediction of how a dependent variable will change in relation to an independent variable. The conclusion should state if the prediction was valid or not valid, based on what the results showed. Standard-SC 12.1.1.h 17 Propose and/or evaluate possible revisions and alternate explanations A scientific discussion is the explanation following a conclusion which describes the research, identifies possible errors within the research, proposes possible changes in the procedure and compares the conclusion to existing knowledge. 1. A student predicted their dog would lose mass through the winter and spring. Did the results support their hypothesis? How should they change their hypothesis? Standard-SC 12.1.1.i 18 6
1. The student s hypothesis did not match their results. They predicted the dog would lose mass when it really gained mass. The results shows that the masses for each month increases from January to May The student should reject the hypothesis and restate it saying that their dog increases mass through the winter and spring. Standard-SC 12.1.1.i 19 Share information, procedures, results, conclusions, and defend findings to a scientific community (peers, science fair audience, policy makers) Scientists share the outcomes of research by publishing their findings in journals which are designed to evaluate the work through peer editing. It is this sharing that allows science to continually correct our understanding of the world around us. 1. Tabloids, twitter and facebook are great sources of scientific research. a. true b. false 2. Why does scientific research need to be reviewed by the scientific community? Standard-SC 12.1.1.j 20 1. (b) false Scientists commonly seek to publish their work in highly respected and peer reviewed sources, such as scientific journal like Science, Nature, Annual Review of Biochemistry & Cell. These are highly ranked science journals. 2. The process of reviewing scientific research allows other scientists to evaluate each others work. This is important so that incorrect work is not published and that science continues to find better explanations. Standard-SC 12.1.1.j 21 7
Evaluate scientific investigations and offer revisions and new ideas as appropriate The body of knowledge known as Science is a continually growing set of facts, ideas and predictions which are evaluated by other scientists, policy makers and other community individuals. This knowledge is built on everyone s ability to question results, conduct further research and compare different ideas. 1. Explain why it is important that scientists attend conferences, discuss their work and collaborate with each other on research projects. Standard-SC 12.1.1.k 22 1. Scientific conferences are places where scientists who share a common interest or research subject meet to discuss current research and newly found information. They provide an opportunity for scientists to clarify their own research and develop new research directions. The October 1927 Fifth Solvay International Conference on Electrons and Photons, where the world's most notable physicists met to discuss the newly formulated quantum theory. The leading figures were Albert Einstein and Niels Bohr. Seventeen of the twenty nine attendees were or became Nobel Prize winners, including Marie Curie, who alone among them, had won Nobel Prizes in two separate scientific disciplines. Standard-SC 12.1.1.k 23 Use appropriate mathematics in all aspects of scientific inquiry Mathematics is the process by which data is analyzed. Scientists use mathematic principles to seek relationships between variables in an experiment. Most graphs represent a mathematic model, outlining these relationships. 1. Which of the lines in the graph above has a greater slope? a. red line b. black line Standard-SC 12.1.1.l 24 8
1. (a) red line Data represented on a graph can be expressed as a mathematic equation. The slope of a line shows the linear relationship between two variables. A more vertical line has a greater slope and a more horizontal line has a less slope. Standard-SC 12.1.1.l 25 9