The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method

- Way to solve a problem

- Step by step plan

- Tries to answer a question

The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method has 6 steps: ProblemResearchHypothesisExperimentData Conclusion

Step 1 - Problem/Question

You ask a question about what you observe.

Step 2 - Research

Gather information about the problem through observations, books, internet, or past experience. What do you know?

Step 3 - Hypothesis

•Prediction that can be tested by an experiment

•Answers the problem/question

•May be written in the form If …. then …..

Good Hypothesis

•Both an independent and dependent variable

•Declarative statement - NO I’s or We’s or My or Our

Step 4 - Experiment

• way to test the hypothesis and collect data under controlled conditions• The outcome must be measurable

Independent Variable:

- factor that is TESTED

- what is DIFFERENT between the groups

- what CHANGES between each set-up

THERE IS ONLY ONE INDEPENDENT

VARIABLE IN AN EXPERIMENT!!

Dependent variable:- what is MEASURED during the experiment

- affected by the independent variable

Constant Variables:

- variables that are kept the SAME

- makes the experiment FAIR

- there are MANY in an experiment

Experimental Group:

- the group that you are testing

- group that gets the factor you are testing

- group that gets the independent variable

Control Group:

- group that DOES NOT get the factor you are testing

- group that you check your results against

- used to compare results

Good Experiments

- large sample size- one factor tested (one independent variable)- quantitative or measurable results- Large sample size- Repeated for accuracy

Step 5 - Observations/Data

- Record any observations and data

Observations

Qualitative Observation - qualities (observable but not measurable)- no numbers- examples: color, shape, smell, texture

Observations

Quantitative Observations - quantities (observable AND measurable)- numbers- examples: length, volume, temperature

Graphs

Line Graph

-describes how one factor affects a second factor

-Continuous data

Graphs

Circle Graph- compares percentages- Compares part of a whole

Graphs

Column or Bar Graph- used for comparison- discreet data points

Step 6 Conclusion

-accept or reject your hypothesis

-Support your answer with the data

-Publish your results