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Problem Solving

Learn the step-by-step process scientists use to solve problems, from making observations to conducting experiments and analyzing data.

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Problem Solving

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  1. Riddle Problem Solving

  2. Steps Scientists Use to Solve Problems: THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD! 1. Make observations about the environment / State Problem or question 2. Gather information 3. State a hypothesis 4. Conduct Experiment 5. Collect data 6. State a conclusion 7. Repeat many times

  3. The Scientific Method Step 1: Objective (state the problem or question) Example: Does exercise affect pulse rate?

  4. Step 2: Gather information • Study previous research in order to understand how the topic has already been explored

  5. Step 3: State Your Hypothesis • Educated testable guess • Never a question! • Example: Exercise will increase pulse rate

  6. Step 4: Conduct the Experiment • Experimental Group: receives the treatment (ex. Participants that exercise) • Control Group: receives NO treatment and is used as a comparison (ex. Participants that don’t exercise)

  7. Two types of variables: (components that CHANGE during the experiment) • Independent Variable (X-axis) This is what the researcher manipulates! (ex. Amount of exercise) 2) Dependent Variable (Y-axis) “depends” on the original variable and is measured in the end (ex. Pulse rate)

  8. Step 5: Collect Data • In the form of a table, chart, or graph

  9. Step 6: Conclusion • A few statements relating back to the hypothesis and discussing the outcome. • ex. The data did/did not support our hypothesis. The average pulse rates of the participants that exercised were higher than those of the resting group. This could be due to…

  10. In order for an experiment to be valid/reliable, it must have these components… • Many trials • Large sample size • A control group (most, not all!) • Other researchers are able to repeat it! • Only test 1 variable at a time (everything else remains constant!!)

  11. Skittles Experiment Problem: How many of each color Skittle are in each bag? Gather Information: Read the back for info, feel and count through the bag, look at the colors on the bag Hypothesis There are… ___ red Skittles ___ blue Skittles…

  12. What was missing from this experiment??? • Sample size too small! / not enough trials • Independent variable missing • No control group (more of a ‘study’ than an experiment) • Not enough info to make an educated guess

  13. Any Hypothesis is Valuable! • Why? • Because even if it is NOT supported by the data, it can still lead to further investigation!!

  14. When does a hypothesis become a theory?? • When it becomes a well accepted body of knowledge that has been supported by many experiments over time!

  15. Graphs

  16. Today I want you to help me make a graph. • I want to make a graph that shows the change in temperature throughout the day yesterday. • What kind of graphs could we make to show this? Line Graph!!

  17. Bar Graph vs Line Graph • What is the difference between a bar graph and a line graph?

  18. Line Graph • A line graph is a graph used to show change over time!! Time can be measure in… Seconds - Minutes - Hours – Days - Weeks - Months – Years - Decades - Centuries - etc.

  19. When to use a line graph? Would we use a line graph in the following situations: • To show how many people like pizza in this class? NO • To show how much it rained each month this year? YES- because months and years deal with time. • To show how many people live in Bellmore? NO

  20. Y X YOU TELL ME…. What color is the y-axis? Dependent Responding Y Manipulated Independent X What color is the x-axis?

  21. Line Graphs • Show a comparison between 2 variables • Show how the independent v. affects the dependent v.

  22. Bar Graphs • Are descriptive and compare amounts or categories • Are best for comparisons

  23. Bar Graph Presents “categorical data”, data that fits into categories Ex. Type of donut Histogram Presents “continuous data”, the numbers can take on any value in a certain range Ex. weights of individuals

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