Section 1.1-1.2
Notes
Physical science focuses on
nonliving things.
Section 1.2: Using a Scientific
Approach
• An organized plan for gathering, organizing,
and communicating information is called a
scientific method.
• The goal of any scientific method is to solve a
problem or to better understand an observed
event.
Steps of the Scientific Method
1. Making Observations
Scientific investigations often begin with
observations. An observation is
information that you obtain through your
senses.
Observation vs. Inference
Observation
• Something that can be
made with only the five
senses.
• Observations about picture:
– It has red spots.
It has yellow on it.
It feels rough
It feels light.
It smells bad.
It doesn't make a sound
unless you move it.
It's round
It's squishy.
Inference
• Something that involves a
decision being made about
something you observe.
• Inferences about picture:
– I think it's a hacky sack.
It's used to play with.
It must be a ball.
It's a soccer ball.
It's a toy.
Steps of the Scientific Method
2. Forming a Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a proposed answer to a
question, also referred to as, as educated guess.
Steps of the Scientific Method
3. Testing a Hypothesis
In an experiment, any factor that can change is
called a variable.
• The manipulated (independent) variable
causes a change.
• The responding (dependent) variable changes
in response to the manipulated variable.
• A controlled variable is an experiment in
which only one variable, the manipulated
variable, is deliberately changed at a time.
For Example…
• If you do an experiment to test if
speed affects how wet you get in the
rain…
–The speed that you
walk/run=manipulated variable
–The amount of water that you
accumulate=responding variable
Steps of the Scientific Method
4. Drawing Conclusions
•In this step, you will analyze the data
gathered to come up with a conclusion.
–A conclusion describes how facts apply to a
hypothesis.
•If the hypothesis IS supported you continue to step 5. If
the hypothesis is NOT supported you are to restate the
hypothesis and run the experiment again.
•There are two types of data: qualitative
and quantitative.
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Data
Qualitative Data
Quantitative Data
• Deals with descriptions.
• Data can be observed but
not measured.
• Colors, textures, smells,
tastes, appearance,
beauty, etc.
• Qualitative → Quality
• Deals with numbers.
• Data which can be
measured.
• Length, height, area,
volume, weight, speed,
time, temperature,
humidity, sound levels,
cost, members, ages, etc.
• Quantitative → Quantity
Steps of the Scientific Method
5. Developing a Theory
A scientific theory is a well-tested explanation
for a set of observations or experimental results.
Once a hypothesis has been supported in
repeated experiments, scientists can begin to
develop a theory. Theories are never proven.