Carly Zech!

9/23/14!
pERIOD 4!
Ms. Perani
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There are six steps to the scientific method. The first one is posing questions, a posing
question is a question such as, How is a shadow affected by the lights position? This question
can be answered by making observations. Although, not all questions are scientific. For
example, someone asks, Which is the most fabulous painting out of all paintings? This cannot
be answered with an observation it is simply personal opinion.The second step it developing a
hypothesis. When ideas can be tested, scientific inquiry moves forward. For example, you
might hypothesize: when hot water is added to the cold water the ball inside the water will sink
because the water will become less dense. It is extremely necessary to know that a hypothesis
is not a fact. Hypothesiss lead to predictions, which can be proven over multiple trials. The third
step is designing experiments.Predictions can be tested by designing an experiment. The first
step of designing and experiment is to examine all of the parameters (a factor that can be
measured in an experiment). In certain experiments there might be certain parameters called
variable parameters. These parameters change during the experiment. In an amazingly
designed experiment only one variable parameter is purposely changed, that parameter is
called the manipulated variable. With the manipulated variable comes along with a responding
variable that is the variable that changes along with the manipulated variable. The fourth step is
collecting and interpreting data. Before the experiment start, scientists like to create a data
table for recording data. The data table they make will wither be quantitive or qualitative.
Quantitive data means that the data consists of measurements. Qualitative data is data that is
written and can be written down in a journal or notebook. After all of their data is collected, the
scientists will create a graph to help explain the data. Graphs are an easy way to look at
quantitive data because they can show patterns in the data. The fifth step is drawing
conclusions. After scientists examine their data they draw a conclusion about their hypothesis
that they wrote before they started the experiment. This conclusion shows whether or not their
hypothesis was correct. And the very last step is communicating. Communicating is sharing
ideas and conclusions with others through writing and speaking. Communicating is an extremely
important part of the scientific theory. You also share the process you used in your inquiry. When
scientists share the experiments design other scientists can try it and check the results. These
things can be communicated by science meetings, the internet of even publishing articles to a
newspaper. When communicating with other scientists about discoveries can lead to questions
then hypothesiss and start the whole process all over again.!
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When designing an experiment there are several things that scientists must think of to
make the experiment controlled and successful. One thing is that you must make sure that all
parameters are controlled. For example if your experiment contains using water make sure it
doesn't spill, or else depending on your experiment it will mess your data up. You must make
sure that if a graduated cylinder is needed in your experiment make sure to read at the
meniscus of the water level. That is important because it would be the wrong data if you don't
measure there. And the most important thing in an experiment is to be safe. If you are dealing
with chemicals wear gloves to protect your hands. There are many ways to stay safe but have
fun at the same time.!
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Zech, Caroline

Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 2:46:10 PM Pacific Standard Time

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