It’s how we do science…

Terms Scientific Method- is a step-by-step process that is followed in order to design and complete an experiment. Hypothesis- educated guess Experiment-organized procedures to study something under controlled conditions

Terms Observation- noting or recording information gathered using instruments or your senses Quantitative observations- expressed in numbers Qualitative observations- descriptions based on senses Data- information Conclusion- Summary of results

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What is it? The Scientific Method is a step-by-step process that is followed in order to design and complete an experiment. If scientists do not follow this, then they could: Get incomplete results Get easily confused May not be taken seriously

Step 1: State the question This is what you are trying to figure out. What do you want to know? For example: What happens to your heart rate when you exercise? **It is important to state the question in order to guide your experiment. **

Step 2: Collect Information Gather any research on the topics that you are covering. You need this background information in order to come up with a procedure. For example: -Heart rate data -Data on exercise and heart rate -How does the heart work? -What types of exercise would someone have to do in order to change their heart rate?

Variables and Controls Control – something that does not change in an experiment. Is used to compare results to Experimental Variable – the “thing” or variable that the scientist changes during an experiment. For example: Control – resting heart rate or heart rate of someone not exercising Experimental variable - exercising

Step 3: Form a Hypothesis A hypothesis is an “If, then” statement about what you feel will happen in the experiment based on the information you gathered. A hypothesis is NOT an educated guess or a prediction! A hypothesis is always based on research! For example: If you exercise, then your heart rate will increase.

Step 4: Test the Hypothesis This is a step-by-step procedure of how you are going to do your experiment. For example: 1.Take your resting heart rate and record the number. 2.Do jumping jacks for 1 minute. 3.Take your exercise heart rate and record the number. 4.Analyze results.

Step 5: Observe Take a look at what’s going on in your experiment. Is anything bubbling, smoking, producing a gas, changing color or shape, etc.

Types of Observations Quantitative Quantity (numbers)… Heart rate – 68 beats per minute Plant growth – 1 inch per week Water boiling – 20 minutes at 100 o C Qualitative Description (words/adjectives) The water produced bubbles The plant has green leaves and yellow flowers The water produced steam

Step 6: Record Data & Study Data Data tables or graphs showing the information/data you collected. Time (minutes) Heart Rate (Beats per minute)

Step 7: Come to a conclusion Your conclusion sums up your entire lab and your results. *Questions are answered and supported with your data* Experimental errors are identified (what (if anything) went wrong) and how could you do the lab differently to get better results. Claims and Evidence For example: When you exercise, your heart rate increases. In this experiment, the resting heart rate was 65. After exercising, heart rate increased to 120 beats per minute.

Claims and Evidence A claim is when we state that something is true. Evidence is ________________ or ________________ that supports our claim. Evidence is always taken from a __________________ or _______________________. datainformation graph data table ClaimEvidence Ms. Ferry is taller than…Ms. Ferry is 6’ O” tall.