The Scientific Method : AKA “scientific inquiry” process used to answer questions & gain knowledge

1.Question 2.Research 3.Hypothesize/Predict 4.Experiment/Test/Collect Data 5.Analyze Data & Make Data Visual 6.Conclude/Report results The 6 “Steps”

1.Question. Comes from OBSERVATIONS What do you want to find out? Must be testable and measureable (have a clear outcome). NOT opinion ex: Which flower smells better?

2. Research info about the question. prior knowledge internet books ask an expert, etc.

3. Make a HYPOTHESIS/Prediction an “educated guess” What’s going on AND WHY? based on research from step 2! Hypothesis: your explanation based on what you’ve observed Prediction: what you think will happen when you do your test AND WHY!

3. Make a HYPOTHESIS/Prediction The prediction is written as an “ If, then, because” statement. “ If ”: what you are planning to test “ then ”: what you expect to happen “ because ”: why you think it will happen (justification)

3. Make a HYPOTHESIS/Prediction Hypothesis: Some students behave better in class if they have negative consequences. Prediction: If I write a naughty child a demerit, then he’ll behave better because he’ll get grounded at home.

4. Experiment/Collect Data (run your test) must have clear procedures (steps) must be able to be duplicated by others Include a list of all materials used, AND specific instructions. You must: Do the experiment multiple times OR with multiple items. Collect Data = write it ALL down

An experiment always has: A. variables- “things” in a test that can change 3 TYPES: a. independent variable: What is being tested (look after “IF”). b. dependent variable: What is observed/measured by the tester (look after “THEN”). c. constant (controlled) variable(s): Keep the same thruout ALL trials

Ex: If I water some flowers twice as much as other flowers, then the ones watered more will grow taller because I know that plants need plenty of water to grow. Quest.: What is the dependent variable? Ans.: plant height Quest.: What is the independent variable? Ans.: amount of H 2 O used Quest.: What are some control variables? Ans.: type of flowers, where planted, amount of sunshine, soil, fertilizer, how watered

An experiment always has: B. Experimental group: the group or individual in the experiment that receives the experimental treatment. (the “lab rats”)

An experiment MIGHT have a: Control group: the group or individual in the experiment that is NOT tested is used as a reference for what “normal” would be like. Not all experiments have a control group

A good experiment: tests one “thing” at a time. Why? must be fair and unbiased. DON’T allow opinions to influence the experiment or your results.

5. Analyze the data collected (What does it all mean?) Look at your data for patterns or trends. Make a graph, table, diagram, etc. Effect of sun on plant growth cm What’s missing??

6. Come to a Conclusion (Does the data support your hypothesis?) a.Valid hypothesis: hypothesis is supported “My hypothesis was valid because ….” b.Invalid hypothesis: hypothesis is NOT supported “My hypothesis was invalid because ….” (revise your hypothesis and try again!)

A conclusion should: clearly answer your question regardless if your hypothesis was valid or invalid. Be supported/justified by the data (cite the data in your conclusion)

I wanted to test types of plant fertilizers. I thought that using Miracle-Gro® fertilizer makes plants grow taller because a famous gardener said so. I put 3 marigolds in a pot with Miracle-Gro® and 3 marigolds in a pot with Wal-Mart brand fertilizer. After 8 weeks of data collection, I found that there was no difference in plant height but that the plants with Miracle-Gro® have more flowers.

What is your hypothesis? Plants grown with Miracle-Gro® fertilizer will grow taller b/c Ashley Stephenson said so. I wanted to test types of plant fertilizers. I thought that using Miracle-Gro® fertilizer makes plants grow taller because a famous gardener said so. I put 3 marigolds in a pot with Miracle-Gro® and 3 marigolds in a pot with Wal-Mart brand fertilizer. After 8 weeks of data collection, I found that there was no difference in plant height but that the plants with Miracle-Gro® have more flowers.

What is your prediction (If, then, b/c …)? If plants are grown with Miracle-Gro® fertilizer, then they will grow taller b/c Ashley Stephenson said so. I wanted to test types of plant fertilizers. I thought that using Miracle-Gro® fertilizer makes plants grow taller because a famous gardener said so. I put 3 marigolds in a pot with Miracle-Gro® and 3 marigolds in a pot with Wal-Mart brand fertilizer. After 8 weeks of data collection, I found that there was no difference in plant height but that the plants with Miracle-Gro® have more flowers.

What is your independent variable (IV)? You are testing types of fertilizer. I wanted to test types of plant fertilizers. I thought that using Miracle-Gro® fertilizer makes plants grow taller because a famous gardener said so. I put 3 marigolds in a pot with Miracle-Gro® and 3 marigolds in a pot with Wal-Mart brand fertilizer. After 8 weeks of data collection, I found that there was no difference in plant height but that the plants with Miracle-Gro® have more flowers.

What is your dependent variable (DV)? You are measuring plant height. I wanted to test types of plant fertilizers. I thought that using Miracle-Gro® fertilizer makes plants grow taller because a famous gardener said so. I put 3 marigolds in a pot with Miracle-Gro® and 3 marigolds in a pot with Wal-Mart brand fertilizer. After 8 weeks of data collection, I found that there was no difference in plant height but that the plants with Miracle-Gro® have more flowers.

What are your control variables (CV)? Things that should all be the same include: types of flower, amt. of H 2 O, amt. of sun, type of pot, etc. I wanted to test types of plant fertilizers. I thought that using Miracle-Gro® fertilizer makes plants grow taller because a famous gardener said so. I put 3 marigolds in a pot with Miracle-Gro® and 3 marigolds in a pot with Wal-Mart brand fertilizer. After 8 weeks of data collection, I found that there was no difference in plant height but that the plants with Miracle-Gro® have more flowers.

Is your hypothesis valid or invalid? Why? I wanted to test types of plant fertilizers. I thought that using Miracle-Gro® fertilizer makes plants grow taller because a famous gardener said so. I put 3 marigolds in a pot with Miracle-Gro® and 3 marigolds in a pot with Wal-Mart brand fertilizer. After 8 weeks of data collection, I found that there was no difference in plant height but that the plants with Miracle-Gro® have more flowers.

fin END OF Scientific Method NOTES 2015

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