SCIENTIFIC METHOD

1)Ask a Question 2)Conduct Research 3)Create a Hypothesis 4)Design an Experiment

SCIENTIFIC METHOD CONTINUED 5) Conduct an Experiment 6) Analyze Data 7) Draw a Conclusion 8) Share your Results

VARIABLES 1) Independent Variable: The variable that is manipulated to cause a change. 2) Dependent Variable: The variable that is responding or changing. 3) Constant or Control Variable(s): The variable that stays the same.

EXAMPLE You are interested in how sunlight affects the growth of plants. Independent Variable: sunlight (place plants in the sunlight) Dependent Variable: plant growth (measure the height of the plants) Constant or Control Variables: type of plants, location, amount of plant food and/or water, soil

HYPOTHESIS A prediction of what you think the answer to the original problem will be based on your research/background information. It is always written as an “If......, then….” statement. “If (the independent variable), then (the dependent variable).