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Scientific Method
The scientific method is the basis of scientific investigation. A scientist will pose a question and formulate a hypothesis as a potential explanation or answer to the question. The hypothesis will be tested through a series of experiments. The results of the experiments will either prove or disprove the hypothesis. This category should contain questions and answers regarding the scientific method.
4,392 Questions
What does a scientist do after he collects his data?
After collecting data, a scientist needs to sort and evaluate the data. Depending on the research, there are numerous processes that can be used.
What is the word for the one variable that is purposely changed to test a hypothesis?
The independent variable is the one that is changed by the scientist.
Control variables are kept unchanged in an experiment.
Dependant variables are those that change as a result of the independent variable being changed.
How do the steps of the scientific method work?
Scientific Method Steps
As more proof that there is no one way to "do" science, different sources describe the steps of the scientific method in different ways. Some list three steps, some four and some five. Fundamentally, however, they incorporate the same concepts and principles.
Image courtesy William Harris
For our purposes, we're going to say that there are five key steps in the method.
Step 1: Make an observation
Almost all scientific inquiry begins with an observation that piques curiosity or raises a question. For example, when Charles Darwin (1809-1882) visited the Galapagos Islands (located in the Pacific Ocean, 950 kilometers west of Ecuador), he observed several species of finches, each uniquely adapted to a very specific habitat. In particular, the beaks of the finches were quite variable and seemed to play important roles in how the birds obtained food. These birds captivated Darwin. He wanted to understand the forces that allowed so many different varieties of finch to coexist successfully in such a small geographic area. His observations caused him to wonder, and his wonderment led him to ask a question that could be tested.
Step 2: Ask a question
The purpose of the question is to narrow the focus of the inquiry, to identify the problem in specific terms. The question Darwin might have asked after seeing so many different finches was something like this: What caused the diversification of finches on the Galapagos Islands?
Here are some other scientific questions:
- What causes the roots of a plant to grow downward and the stem to grow upward?
- What brand of mouthwash kills the most germs?
- Which car body shape reduces air resistance most effectively?
- What causes coral bleaching?
- Does green tea reduce the effects of oxidation?
- What type of building material absorbs the most sound?
Coming up with scientific questions isn't difficult and doesn't require training as a scientist. If you've ever been curious about something, if you've ever wanted to know what caused something to happen, then you've probably already asked a question that could launch a scientific investigation.
Step 3: Formulate a hypothesis
The great thing about a question is that it yearns for an answer, and the next step in the scientific method is to suggest a possible answer in the form of a hypothesis. A hypothesis is often defined as an educated guess because it is almost always informed by what you already know about a topic. For example, if you wanted to study the air-resistance problem stated above, you might already have an intuitive sense that a car shaped like a bird would reduce air resistance more effectively than a car shaped like a box. You could use that intuition to help formulate your hypothesis.
Generally, a hypothesis is stated as an "if … then" statement. In making such a statement, scientists engage in deductive reasoning, which is the opposite of inductive reasoning. Deduction requires movement in logic from the general to the specific. Here's an example: If a car's body profile is related to the amount of air resistance it produces (general statement), then a car designed like the body of a bird will be more aerodynamic and reduce air resistance more than a car designed like a box (specific statement).
Notice that there are two important qualities about a hypothesis expressed as an "if … then" statement. First, it is testable; an experiment could be set up to test the validity of the statement. Second, it is falsifiable; an experiment could be devised that might reveal that such an idea is not true. If these two qualities are not met, then the question being asked cannot be addressed using the scientific method.
These are the steps in an experiment to test a hypothesis.
What to use If you want to show the relationship between two sets of data?
The answer depends on what sort of variables the data are (qualitative, quantitative-discrete, quantitative-continuous are; the nature of the relationship (if any) between the data sets; how much information you wish the graph to convey and how much you would prefer to describe in the accompanying text.
What is a question that is testable in a scientific investigation?
One question would be: are cats more active at night than during the day?
Which type of scientific research was most helpful to wegener in forming his hypothesis?
The type of scientific research that was most helpful to Alfred Wegener in forming his hypothesis of continental drift was paleoclimatology, particularly the study of ancient climates and their evidence in geological formations. He examined the distribution of fossils and geological features across continents, noting similarities that suggested they were once connected. Additionally, evidence from glacial deposits and coal beds provided insights into past climates that supported his theory. This multidisciplinary approach combined geology, paleontology, and climatology, which helped Wegener formulate his hypothesis.
Did the scientists that rejected Wegener's continental drift theory use the scientific process?
Yes, and using what was known about the earth at that time Wegener's continental drift theory was so implausible that it had to be rejected.
It took data secretly collected by the US Navy after WW2 to account for strange magnetic anomalies that interfered with precision navigation of warships and submarines to give the first hints of a plausible mechanism. But since this data was classified for a long time it was not available to the scientific community, long delaying acceptance of the theory. When the theory was finally accepted the name had been changed to plate tectonics, because it wasn't the continents drifting it was the plates shifting (both continental and oceanic).
What should be identified in a scientific hypothesis?
If the hypothesis is not in accordance with premises we should regard it to be false. (For example when a killed man wears summer clothes we can create a hypothesis that he wanted to go south. But there is no luggage with him which indicates the falsity of this hypothesis.)
What do theories do over time?
Over time, theories can do one of two things. They can either be proven wrong, or they can be considered as scientific law. A scientific law is merely a theory that has withstood the test of time.
Why should goggles be worn during an experiment?
The short answer is to protect the eyes. Performing experiments sometimes means working with dangerous chemicals. Sometimes the experiments themselves are inherently dangerous, and at other times, accidents or mistakes happen during experiments. There may even be explosions. So there is a risk of getting chemicals or objects in your eyes, and goggles help reduce that risk.
How many variables should ideally be tested for changes in a scientific investigation?
In a scientific investigation, ideally, only one independent variable should be tested at a time to accurately determine its effect on the dependent variable. This approach helps ensure that any observed changes can be directly attributed to the manipulation of that single variable, minimizing potential confounding factors. However, researchers may also consider testing a limited number of controlled variables to maintain consistency and reliability in their experiments. Overall, clarity and focus on the research question are key in determining the number of variables to test.
Is a hypothesis the explanation to a theory?
A hypothesis is the first step to elaborate a theory; it is not a true explanation.
Is it true that scientific ideas are subjected to rigorous and repeated testing?
Eventually, yes. Sometimes the testing can be less rigorous if the person carrying out the test has an agenda (a preconceived idea what the result should be). It is for this reason that, for example, there will be a great hullaballoo that a certain product is dangerous, causes cancer, is addictive, and so on, which usually results in the product being driven from the market, and not infrequently the bankruptcy of its producers and the great profit of the producers' competitors. Over time, further testing frequently shows that this scare was unfounded. In the same way, people tend to accept poorly tested conclusions about the efficacy of cures or safety measures which, after further testing and great profits to the producers of the cures and safety devices, are proved to be useless.
How can be quantitative be applied to the scientific method?
Quantitative methods can be applied to the scientific method by using numerical data to test hypotheses and analyze relationships between variables. This involves formulating a testable hypothesis, collecting measurable data through experiments or observations, and using statistical techniques to interpret the results. By quantifying observations, researchers can draw objective conclusions, assess the strength of relationships, and replicate studies for validation. Ultimately, quantitative approaches enhance the rigor and reliability of scientific findings.
What will be the manipulated variable and responding variable of this research topic?
What will be the manipulated variable and responding variable of this research topic?
Think it's a good idea to plug into iTunes, surf the Web, or watch TV while doing homework or trying to read? Lots of people do it and claim that jumping from one activity to another keeps their attention level up and even gives their brain some time to "relax" between the more challenging tasks. Just how efficient is multitasking?
How can you use scientific notation to help you solve problems?
you can minimized using of bigger numbers....instead it is so very simple to cope up
with it.....
thue
One view: Critical thinking must be sensitive to content. It relies on certain criteria. Most important, critical thinking must be self correcting. As new reliable information is available the critical thinker is able to reflect on the issue and modify what they concluded before that new information became available, if necessary. A critical thinker is reasonable, committed to reasoning things out, and willing to rule out wrong answers. Since a conclusion must reach a high standard of reasonableness, the person must research the topic sufficiently enough to arrive at a reasonable, logical conclusion.
Why is drawing conclusions difficult for scientists?
Many times, more than one theory can support a given set of experimental data. Therefore, it is difficult to determine which of the many available theories best fits the data presented.
