Scientific processes

 The scientific method is the process of objectively establishing facts through testing and experimentation. The basic process involves making an observation, forming a hypothesis, making a prediction, conducting an experiment and finally analyzing the results. The principals of the scientific method can be applied in many areas, including scientific research, business and technology.

There are seven steps to the scientific method: Question, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Analysis, Conclusion, and Communication. Although scientists may modify, reorder, or revisit steps on occasion, scientists generally use this basic logical approach.

Basic Science Process Skills

Observing - using the senses to gather information about an object or event. Example: Describing a pencil as yellow.


Inferring - making an "educated guess" about an object or event based on previously gathered data or information. Example: Saying that the person who used a pencil made a lot of mistakes because the eraser was well worn.


Measuring - using both standard and nonstandard measures or estimates to describe the dimensions of an object or event. Example: Using a meter stick to measure the length of a table in centimeters.

Communicating - using words or graphic symbols to describe an action, object or event. Example: Describing the change in height of a plant over time in writing or through a graph.


Classifying - grouping or ordering objects or events into categories based on properties or criteria. Example: Placing all rocks having certain grain size or hardness into one group.


Predicting - stating the outcome of a future event based on a pattern of evidence. Example: Predicting the height of a plant in two weeks time based on a graph of its growth during the previous four weeks.


In the scientific method, analysis critically examines the data and observations collected. The observed data can be quantitative or qualitative and points towards trends within the observations.





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Environment

Image
 What is an Ecosystem? An ecosystem is a structural and functional unit of ecology where the living organisms interact with each other and the surrounding environment. In other words, an ecosystem is a chain of interactions between organisms and their environment. The term “Ecosystem” was first coined by A.G.Tansley, an English botanist, in 1935. Read on to explore the structure, components, types and functions of the ecosystem in the notes provided below. Structure of the Ecosystem The structure of an ecosystem is characterised by the organisation of both biotic and abiotic components. This includes the distribution of energy in our environment. It also includes the climatic conditions prevailing in that particular environment.  The structure of an ecosystem can be split into two main components, namely:  Biotic Components Abiotic Components The biotic and abiotic components are interrelated in an ecosystem. It is an open system where the energy and components can flow t...
Read more

Magnetism

Image
 Magnetism is the force that pulls (attracts) or pushes (repels) an object which contains metal towards, or away from, a magnet. A magnet has an area around it over which it can exert a force on objects. The further away the object is from the magnet, the weaker the force. Properties of Magnets are: We already know that magnets are made up of the magnetic substance. Magnets have certain important properties. They are: Attractive Property – Magnet attracts ferromagnetic materials like iron, cobalt, and nickel. Repulsive Properties – Like magnetic poles repel each other and unlike magnetic poles attract each other. Directive Property – A freely suspended magnet always points in a direction.  Forces and fields between  magnets are: The magnetic force is the force of attraction or repulsion that arises between electrically charged particles due to their motion  The magnetic force between two moving charges may be described as the force exerted upon their charge by t...
Read more