Section: 1.5 What is Scientific Inquiry?

Section 1.5: What is Scientific Inquiry? Inquiry and the Scientific Method

Steps -State the Problem (How/Why does this happen?)

-Gather Information (What am I observing?)

-Form a Hypothesis (Is this what’s happening?)

-Test The Hypothesis (How can I answer my questions?)

-State a Conclusion (Was I correct about my guess?)

1. State The Problem 

Starts with observation. Uses the senses to gather information. Smell

Sight

Hearing

Touch Taste

2. Gather Information Measurement!!!!! -to compare some feature of an object with a standard unit.



In science we use the METRIC system.  Length

or Height

 Weight  Volume  Temperature

= = = =

Meters Grams Liters Celsius

In science, measurements can be very precise AND completely inaccurate. Precision Unit of Measurement

vs.

Accuracy How close you are to being correct.

3. FORM a Hypothesis A hypothesis is…  An

educated guess. A possible solution or explanation to the question.  Based

on FACTS….

 Collected

by OBSERVATION.

•Once data has been gathered, scientists try to explain HOW or WHY things happen in the manner observed.

•This possible explanation is done by stating a “scientific hypothesis.”

4. TEST the Hypothesis 

Test for only ONE detail. This one detail is called a VARIABLE.



A hypothesis should NOT be accepted until there is evidence to support it!!!

State Your Conclusion 

Analyze your data.

What does it tell you? What did you find out? Did your variable effect the outcome? 

Decide if you proved or disproved your hypothesis.



What could you have done differently?

And now for something completely different… The Scientific Method according to Monty Python and the Holy Grail!!!!

Ask a question.

How did dinosaurs go extinct?

Gather Information

There is evidence that a meteorite crashed into what is now Mexico at the time dinosaurs went extinct.

Create a Hypothesis

The Giant Meteor Hypothesis

With Pink Floyd!

Test the Hypothesis

Rare metal iridium, found only in meteorites, appears in the earth’s layer which correlates with the hypothesized asteroid’s collision.

State the Conclusion.

Yes! There is enough evidence to show that the Meteor Impact Hypothesis is Valid.