The Scientific Method MJHS Science Department

Purpose The purpose of the scientific method is to create a set of steps that are used to help explain and/or investigate the natural world around us.

First step or is it??? Depending on who you talk to the steps of the scientific method differ and sometimes the order changes as well. It is important that you not get caught up in which step occurs first, but rather how to create an experiment.

Identify a problem or State a question The problem or question typically comes from an observation you made. Such as, why is the popcorn not popping in the microwave? **** Be sure that your problem or question can be test via experimentation.

Observation/Research Once you identify a problem and/or create a question, you should: Make observations in regards to the phenomenon. Research ways to help you better understand the phenomenon.

Formulate your hypothesis Come up with an educated guess about why the phenomenon is occurring and/or predict an answer to the problem or question. Example: If Mr. Uchime uses Rogaine, then Mr. Uchime’s hair would grow back.

Create an Experiment This should include: A list of materials A step-by-step procedures/method section that explains how the experiment will be conducted. **** The outcome must be measurable****

Perform the Experiment Once you have created a detailed procedures/methods section, conduct your experiment.

Collect and Analyze Your Data While conducting your experiment, you should always be keeping track of your data. This includes graphs, tables, and even pictures.

Modify Experiment as needed When Mr. Uchime had you write the steps to making a bag of popcorn, a lot of you needed to readjust your procedures in order to solve the problem of getting the bag of popcorn pop. It is perfectly fine to readjust your procedures as long as you do not manipulate your independent and dependent variables.

Conclusion In this section, you can either accept or reject your hypothesis. ******* It is highly important that you know that you cannot PROVE your hypothesis. You may only support it with data ********

Communicate the Results The very last step of the scientific method is to communicate your results. The first step may vary, but the last step does not. Communicating your results can be done over a poster board and to an audience This is where you will be asked questions about your experiment. (be prepared to defend it)

Let’s talk about the variables Independent Variable Dependent Variable

Independent Variable The independent variable is the part of the experiment that is being manipulated. For example: Mr. Uchime is testing the rate of growth in plants based on the amount of fertilizer used. Mr. Uchime will use 0g, 2.5g, and 5.0g and measure the growth of tomato plants. What is the independent variable?

Independent Variable The independent variable is the part of the experiment that is being manipulated. For example: Mr. Uchime is testing the rate of growth in plants based on the amount of fertilizer used. Mr. Uchime will use 0g, 2.5g, and 5.0g and measure the growth of tomato plants. What is the independent variable? 2.5g, and 5.0g

Dependent Variable The dependent variable is the part of the experiment that you are measuring based on the changes in the independent variable. For example: Mr. Uchime is testing the rate of growth in plants based on the amount of fertilizer used. Mr. Uchime will use 0g, 2.5g, and 5.0g and measure the growth of tomato plants. What is the dependent variable?

Dependent Variable The dependent variable is the part of the experiment that you are measuring based on the changes in the independent variable. For example: Mr. Uchime is testing the rate of growth in plants based on the amount of fertilizer used. Mr. Uchime will use 0g, 2.5g, and 5.0g and measure the growth of tomato plants. What is the dependent variable? The rate of growth

Still Confused??? Lets practice I want you to say the independent and dependent variable out loud for each of the examples. All will pause for ten seconds each

Practice 1.Mr. Uchime wants to test the effectiveness of Rogaine on hair growth. What is the independent variable and what is the dependent variable? Independent Variable: Dependent Variable:

Practice 1.Mr. Uchime wants to test the effectiveness of Rogaine on hair growth. What is the independent variable and what is the dependent variable? Independent Variable: Effectiveness of Rogaine Dependent Variable: The amount hair growth

Practice 2.John Cena wants to test which brand of tires takes the longest to stop a vehicle going 50mph. What is the independent variable and what is the dependent variable? Independent Variable: Dependent Variable:

Practice 2.John Cena wants to test which brand of tires takes the longest to stop a vehicle going 50mph. What is the independent variable and what is the dependent variable? Independent Variable: The brand of tires Dependent Variable: The amount of time it takes to stop a vehicle.

Practice 3.SpongeBob Square Pants is the best Krusty Burger flipper in all of Bikini Bottom. Mr. Krabs wants to determine if SpongeBob’s pay affects SpongeBob’s productivity. What is the independent variable and what is the dependent variable? Independent Variable: Dependent Variable:

Practice 3.SpongeBob Square Pants is the best Krusty Burger flipper in all of Bikini Bottom. Mr. Krabs wants to determine SpongeBob’s pay affects SpongeBob’s productivity. What is the independent variable and what is the dependent variable? Independent Variable: Sponge Bob’s pay Dependent Variable: Productivity

Control Group Vs. Experimental Group The Control Group is the group or subject that does not receive the independent variable ****Used a measure/baseline The Experimental Group is the group or subject that does receive the independent variable ****Used for the experiment

Constants The factors that stay the same throughout the experiment.

More Practice Let’s include the control and constant for this version.

More Practice 4.Researchers wanted to know the rate at which different age students were able to complete a Pokémon jigsaw puzzle. Independent Variable: Dependent Variable: Control Group: Constant:

More Practice 4.Researchers wanted to know the rate at which different age students were able to complete a Pokémon jigsaw puzzle. Independent Variable: Age of students Dependent Variable: Rate of completions Control Group: No control group Constant: The Pokémon Jigsaw Puzzle

Independent Variable: Dependent Variable: Control Group:

Independent Variable: The Special Juice Dependent Variable: Amount papers stapled Control Group: Group that did not receive special juice

Any Questions??? If you still have questions, go to and click contact Mr. Uchime.