Assignment: The Scientific Method
• Review Appendix D.
• Open the Scientific Method Web site.
• Follow the instructions at the bottom of the Web site to choose a hypothesis and prediction about growing plants.
• Click on Do the Experiment. The results of the experiment you chose will appear.
• Write a 700- to 1,050-word paper that describes how you would conduct the experiment for your chosen hypothesis:
o Include an example of how you have used the scientific method in a real-life situation.
o Explain each step of the scientific method as it applies to your Web experiment and your real-life example. Your paper must include two explanations of the scientific method.
• Format your paper according to APA guidelines.
• Post your paper as a Microsoft® Word attachment.
Now I have everything I need to do, I just don't understand what I am supposed to do where it says I must include two explanations of the scientific method. Can someone help me clarify this???
Could these be two explanations?
~~The scientific method as applied during a science class/lab/experiment.
and
~~The scientific method as applied to a "real-life example."
???
I am not sure, that is what I am asking. My experiment is to explain why plants grown indoor always seem to grow towards the light. So I have 3 plants on the left side of the light and 3 plants on the right side of the light.
With the real life example I am planning on using sunflowers and how they always face towards the sun.
I am not sure if this is correct or if I am understanding this assignment correctly. If I can't get it I will turn it in late and just ask my teacher for help but I don't want to lose points at the same time.
When it says you need to include two explanations of the scientific method, it means that you should describe the steps of the scientific method as they apply to both the experiment you conducted on the website and an example from a real-life situation.
For the experiment you conducted on the website, you should describe each step of the scientific method as it applies to that experiment. This would include:
1. Observation: Describe the initial observation that led to the development of the hypothesis and prediction about growing plants.
2. Question: Explain the specific question that you aimed to answer through the experiment.
3. Hypothesis: State the hypothesis you formulated about growing plants based on your initial observation.
4. Prediction: Explain the prediction you made about the expected outcome of the experiment.
5. Experiment: Describe how you conducted the experiment, including the materials and methods used.
6. Data Collection: Explain how you collected data during the experiment, including the variables you measured and how you recorded the data.
7. Analysis: Describe how you analyzed the data collected during the experiment, including any calculations or statistical tests used.
8. Conclusion: Explain the conclusions you drew from the experiment and whether they supported or refuted your hypothesis.
For the real-life example, you should provide a situation where you have personally used the scientific method. It can be any real-life scenario where you applied the steps of the scientific method to investigate and solve a problem. Describe the specific steps you followed in that situation, similar to how you described the steps for the web experiment.
By providing explanations of the scientific method for both the web experiment and a real-life example, you will be demonstrating your understanding of how the scientific method is applied in different contexts.
In this assignment, you are required to write a paper that includes two explanations of the scientific method. The scientific method is a systematic process used by scientists to investigate and answer questions about the natural world. It consists of several steps, which we will explain in relation to your chosen hypothesis and a real-life example.
To begin, review Appendix D and open the Scientific Method website provided. Follow the instructions on the website to choose a hypothesis and prediction about growing plants. This will serve as your experiment for the paper.
Next, click on "Do the Experiment" on the website. The results of the experiment you chose will appear. This will provide you with the information you need to conduct the experiment. Now, let's discuss the two explanations of the scientific method.
Explanation 1 - Web Experiment:
In this part of your paper, you will explain each step of the scientific method as it applies to your chosen hypothesis and experiment from the website. Here is a breakdown of the steps of the scientific method and how they relate to your web experiment:
1. Observation: Start by making an observation related to the growth of plants. This could be something you noticed on the website or any prior knowledge you have about plant growth.
2. Question: Based on the observation, formulate a question that you want to investigate. This question should be specific and measurable, such as "Does the amount of sunlight affect plant growth?"
3. Hypothesis: Formulate a hypothesis, which is a tentative explanation for the question you asked. For example, "If plants are exposed to more sunlight, then they will grow taller compared to plants exposed to less sunlight."
4. Prediction: Make a prediction based on your hypothesis. This should be a statement that can be tested through an experiment. For example, "If the hypothesis is correct, then plants exposed to more sunlight will have a greater average height than those exposed to less sunlight."
5. Experiment: Design and conduct an experiment to test your hypothesis. This should include choosing variables to manipulate and measure, creating a control group, and implementing appropriate data collection methods. Follow the instructions given on the website to collect your data.
6. Analysis: Analyze the data you collected during the experiment. Use statistical methods, graphs, or any other relevant tools to determine patterns or trends in the data.
7. Conclusion: Based on your analysis, interpret the results and draw a conclusion. Discuss whether the data supports or refutes your hypothesis and prediction.
Explanation 2 - Real-Life Example:
In this part of your paper, you will provide a real-life example of how you have used the scientific method. Think about a situation where you have followed a similar process of inquiry and problem-solving.
1. Observation: Describe the situation or problem you encountered and the initial observation that led you to question or investigate further.
2. Question: Formulate a specific question you wanted to answer or address based on your initial observation.
3. Hypothesis: Develop a hypothesis, which is your proposed explanation or solution to the question you formulated.
4. Prediction: Make predictions about what you expect to observe or happen if your hypothesis is correct.
5. Experiment/Investigation: Explain how you designed and conducted an investigation or experiment to test your hypothesis. Discuss the variables you manipulated and measured, and any data collection methods you utilized.
6. Analysis: Analyze the data or information you collected during your investigation. Interpret the results and look for patterns or trends.
7. Conclusion: Based on your analysis, draw a conclusion about whether your hypothesis was supported or refuted. Reflect on the significance of your findings and any further questions or avenues for research.
In your paper, you should provide clear and detailed explanations for each step of the scientific method, both in the context of the web experiment and your real-life example. Remember to also follow APA guidelines for formatting your paper and include an example of your real-life application of the scientific method.