What is the Scientific Method?What is the Scientific Method?

The Scientific Method Is:The Scientific Method Is:

A series of steps used to A series of steps used to help solve a problem or help solve a problem or question.question.

A set of common steps A set of common steps that biologists and other that biologists and other scientists use to gather scientists use to gather information and answer information and answer questions.questions.

NOT a series of exact NOT a series of exact steps, but rather a logical steps, but rather a logical strategy for drawing sound strategy for drawing sound conclusions.conclusions.

SO HOW CAN WE SO HOW CAN WE DETERMINE:DETERMINE:

If something is fact or opinion?If something is fact or opinion? The answer to a scientific problem or any The answer to a scientific problem or any

other problem?other problem? What conclusion should be drawn from a What conclusion should be drawn from a

set of observations or data?set of observations or data?

THE ANSWER, OF COURSE, THE ANSWER, OF COURSE, IS TO USEIS TO USE

THE SCIENTIFIC THE SCIENTIFIC METHODMETHOD!!!!

So then…what are the steps So then…what are the steps to the Scientific Method??to the Scientific Method??

The Steps of the Scientific The Steps of the Scientific Method are as follows:Method are as follows:

1.1. Define the Problem and/or Make Define the Problem and/or Make ObservationsObservations

2.2. Research the ProblemResearch the Problem3.3. Develop a HypothesisDevelop a Hypothesis4.4. Conduct a Controlled ExperimentConduct a Controlled Experiment5.5. Collect and Analyze the Data Collect and Analyze the Data 6.6. Draw a ConclusionDraw a Conclusion7.7. Report ResultsReport Results

Step 1: Define the Step 1: Define the Problem/Make ObservationsProblem/Make Observations

1.1. Make sure that only Make sure that only ONE problem is ONE problem is being studied.being studied.

2.2. Observe the topic Observe the topic being studied using being studied using the five senses.the five senses.

3.3. Make sure Make sure observations are observations are precise and accurate.precise and accurate.

Step 2: Research the ProblemStep 2: Research the Problem

1.1. Use all available Use all available resources to collect resources to collect information and data on information and data on the subject being the subject being studied.studied.

2.2. Try libraries, Internet, Try libraries, Internet, books, magazines, books, magazines, newspapers, interviews, newspapers, interviews, etc.etc.

3.3. Proper research is Proper research is VITALVITAL to the rest of the to the rest of the scientific study!!scientific study!!

Step 3: Develop a HypothesisStep 3: Develop a Hypothesis

1.1. A hypothesis is a short A hypothesis is a short definitive statement.definitive statement.

2.2. It is a reasonable and It is a reasonable and testable explanation for testable explanation for observations.observations.

3.3. It might be an “if, It might be an “if, then” statement.then” statement.

4.4. Remember, the Remember, the hypothesis can always hypothesis can always be altered if the data do be altered if the data do not support it!not support it!

Step 4: Develop a Controlled Step 4: Develop a Controlled ExperimentExperiment

Make sure the Make sure the experiment contains a experiment contains a control groupcontrol group

Make sure the Make sure the experiment has only experiment has only one condition (or one condition (or variable) being tested variable) being tested at a time.at a time.

What is a Controlled What is a Controlled Experiment?Experiment?

It involves 2 groups: the control It involves 2 groups: the control group and the experimental group.group and the experimental group.

– The The control groupcontrol group is the group in is the group in which all conditions are kept the which all conditions are kept the same.same.

– The The experimental groupexperimental group is the single is the single condition being tested.condition being tested.

– All other conditions MUST be kept the All other conditions MUST be kept the SAME.SAME.

Designing a controlled experiment:Designing a controlled experiment:

In a controlled experiment, only In a controlled experiment, only one condition at a time is one condition at a time is changed.changed.

The condition in an experiment The condition in an experiment that is changed is the that is changed is the independent variableindependent variable—it is —it is the only variable that affects the the only variable that affects the outcome.outcome.

The The dependent variabledependent variable is the is the condition that results from the condition that results from the change. It “depends” on the change. It “depends” on the independent variable.independent variable.

Step 5: Collect and Analyze the DataStep 5: Collect and Analyze the Data

Information obtained from Information obtained from experiments is called experiments is called datadata..

This data may be in This data may be in numerical (quantitative) or numerical (quantitative) or verbal (qualitative) form.verbal (qualitative) form.

Analysis may result from Analysis may result from calculations, charts, calculations, charts, graphs, etc.graphs, etc.

Step 6: Draw a ConclusionStep 6: Draw a Conclusion

The conclusion may or The conclusion may or may not support the may not support the hypothesis.hypothesis.

Additional Additional experimentation must then experimentation must then take place to make sure take place to make sure the results are repeatable.the results are repeatable.

If the hypothesis is proven If the hypothesis is proven wrong, change the wrong, change the hypothesis, NOT the data.hypothesis, NOT the data.

Step 7: Report the ResultsStep 7: Report the Results

Results must be published Results must be published to make sure that other to make sure that other scientists can reproduce scientists can reproduce the experiments and verify the experiments and verify the results.the results.

Repeated verification of a Repeated verification of a hypothesis over time may hypothesis over time may turn the hypothesis into a turn the hypothesis into a scientific scientific theorytheory..

Example: Scientific Method in Example: Scientific Method in ActionAction

ProblemProblem: : Is Raid the best insecticide on Is Raid the best insecticide on the market?the market?

Research the problemResearch the problem--Look up Look up information on all insecticides.information on all insecticides.

Develop a hypothesisDevelop a hypothesis--Raid is the best Raid is the best insecticide on the market. If used, it insecticide on the market. If used, it will kill insects 30% faster than other will kill insects 30% faster than other products.products.

Develop a controlled experimentDevelop a controlled experiment--Spray 5 separate plates with equal Spray 5 separate plates with equal amounts of different insecticides. amounts of different insecticides. Cover each one with the same type and Cover each one with the same type and size glass. Add equal amounts of the size glass. Add equal amounts of the same insects to each glass. Place them same insects to each glass. Place them side by side and time the results.side by side and time the results.

Collect and analyze data, form a Collect and analyze data, form a conclusion, report resultsconclusion, report results..

Now, you try it!!Now, you try it!!

1.1. ProblemProblem:: Will using Will using Growmore fertilizer increase Growmore fertilizer increase the yield of a bean crop?the yield of a bean crop?

2.2. HypothesisHypothesis::3.3. Controlled experimentControlled experiment:: What are the experimental What are the experimental

group and control group?group and control group? What might be the What might be the

independent and dependent independent and dependent variables?variables?

4.4. List List materialsmaterials needed to carry needed to carry out the experiment.out the experiment.

5.5. Write out the Write out the stepssteps of the of the experiment.experiment.

GOOD LUCK USINGGOOD LUCK USING

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD!THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD!