The Scientific Method

Step 1 Describe the problem or ask a question In this step, you (the researcher) must decide what it is that you want to study. Your question is usually a result of something you have observed that you want to know more about

Step 2 Develop or state the hypothesis  A specific statement of prediction. * Should be written in an “If..., then…” statement Ex: If teenagers get more sleep, then their grades will improve A hypothesis should not be a random wild guess to your problem.

Step 3 Dependent Variable: Design the experiment Independent Variable: This is what you are testing or changing Ex: adding fertilizer to plants Sometimes an IV can have degrees Ex: 3 different brands of fertilizer Dependent Variable: This is what you are measuring (Don’t know results!) Ex: height of plants

Step 3 Design the experiment (CONT.) Constants- Variables that are NOT the independent or dependent variable You have to keep these variables constant and never changing in an experiment Why? What can a constant do to an experiment if not controlled? Sometimes you will see these called Control Variables

Step 3 Design the experiment (CONT.) Your experiment should contain TWO groups: Experimental Group or groups – The group that contains the Independent Variable Ex: plants the get fertilizer Control Group – is identical to the experimental group in every way, except for the independent variable. Ex: plants without fertilizer

Step 4 Conduct the experiment and collect data Carry out your experiment, collect data (in a table), then create a graph (Remember the Dependent variable is the Data that you collect)

Step 5 Draw conclusions from your data This is when you say whether or not your hypothesis was supported or not supported You can explain what may have gone wrong or why you think your experiment did not turn out the way you expected You can talk about repeating the experiment and what you may do differently next time

Now it’s your turn! Fill in the graphic organizer by using this scenario: Peter loves music.  He believes that if he listens to music while studying he will do better on tests. His mother thinks it is distracting and he would do better without it. Help Peter settle his argument!