The Scientific Method Objective Today: Today we are going to learn about the Scientific Method, what it is and how scientists use it to establish Scientific Theory

The Scientific Method The scientific method is a way to ask and answer scientific questions by making observations and doing experiments. The scientific method can be broken down into a number of steps……

The Scientific Method Observation We observe the world around us and want to provide a scientific explanation e.g. Why do we have rainbows? Why do plants grow? I often wonder if music helps plants to grow better or not?

The Scientific Method Question What?, How?, When?, Why?, How? etc My question “ What type of music will make plants grow best?” I will try jazz, classical, rock and pop.

The Scientific Method Hypothesis This is a prediction or educated guess suggesting what you think will happen. The hypothesis has to be testable. I predict that classical music will be the best music to play for plants to grow more

The Scientific Method The experiment Variables: Independent or Manipulated Variable : Variable I will change to test the hypothesis. Here I will change the music Dependent or Responding Variable : This is what we are looking to observe in the hypothesis. Here it is Plant Growth

The Scientific Method The Experiment (Continued) Controlling Variables These variables remain the same. Here my controlling variables include, how much water, light, heat, nutrients etc. the plants receive. They will all receive the same amount in the experiment

The Scientific Method The experiment (Continued) The Control Group These are a group of plants not exposed to the independent variable. Here I am going to also record what happens to plants not exposed to any music. This is to test if music has any affect at all on plant growth

The Scientific Method Observation and data Detailed and accurate observation of the independent, dependent variables should be made and presented in a suitable form. e.g. on graph or tables. Here I will present showing a graph showing plant growth rate with the different types of music and the control.

The Scientific Method Analysis and Interpretation of Data to reach conclusion Analyse and interpret the data in a logical manner. The Conclusion should state whether the hypothesis you made is true, based on the data you analysed. So do you think playing classical music, helps plants grow better? The Conclusion should not be your own opinion, it should be based on analysis of the observation and data

The Scientific Method Write a Report and get it published A report must state the aim of the experiment, how you carried it out, the apparatus used, the observations made and data collected, results and conclusion. Anyone reading it should be able to repeat your experiment. Get is published in a Scientific Journal for other Scientist to repeat the experiment and either prove or maybe challenge your findings.

The Scientific Method Scientific Theory Ultimately scientists will test and retest a hypotheses until they agree and get to the truth. Once a hypotheses is supported by repeated experiment, measurements and observations, it becomes an accepted explanation or Theory e.g. Theory of Gravity and Theory of Evolution.

Summary of The Scientific Method: The Scientific Method - Scientists use a combination of facts (observations) to form hypotheses that can be tested by experiment to provide reliable theories and scientific laws that explain how the world works. This process is called The Scientific Method Observation