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Constructing a Scientific Explanation
Scientific Conclusions
C+E+R
Scientific arguments (conclusions) should have a clear claim, supporting evidence, and reasoning that connects the evidence to the claim.
Key Points
Scientific Explanations
There are two goals to writing a strong scientific explanation. The first goal is to write a logical explanation that includes a claim that is supported with your evidence and reasoning. Connect each piece of evidence and reasoning to your claim. The second goal is to use appropriate scientific principles in your reasoning when you can. In using a scientific principle, you show how the evidence supports your claim.
Claim
A claim is a statement or conclusion that answers the scientific question.
Claim
Oreo Claim
Is a Double-Stuf Oreo really double stuffed?
Yes, Double-Stuf Oreos are double stuffed
- or -
No, Double-Stuf Oreos are not double stuffed
Evidence
Scientific claims must be supported with evidence.
Evidence
This evidence may come from a number of sources like your investigation, observations you make, or investigations that others have done.
Tips
Things to remember
Evidence is any observations or data that support your claim in science.
Evidence should be specific - reference actual numbers and calculations in the data.
You may collect a lot of data in an investigation. But not all data is evidence. Data become evidence when they help answer your question.
Be concise - don't include any analysis (reasoning) yet
Oreo evidence
Example
Evidence supporting the claim might include...
"the mass of the regular oreo filling is ____________, while the mass of the double stuf oreo is ________________"
"some filling was stuck to the cookie part"
"the expected mass of the regular oreo filling is 3.2 g, while the expected mass of the DS oreo filling is 6.4 g"
... and more
Reasoning
Reasoning is the justification or explanation for why the evidence supports the claim.
Reasoning links your evidence to your which makes your explanation stronger and more convincing.
Your reasoning should be logical and be based on scientific facts and direct data/observations, not personal feelings, beliefs, or assumptions.
Example
Example
Evidence:
"the expected mass of the regular oreo filling is 3.2 g, while the expected mass of the DS oreo filling is 6.4 g"
Reasoning:
"This data shows that our measured values are less than expected, meaning there is error in our investigation. This error is accounted for by the observation of filling stuck to the cookies, which means that if we could accurately measure the filling it would be the expected values, and therefore, double the stuff"