THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD Science is a method to understand the constantly changing environment.

Scientific Method Ask a Question Do Background Research Construct a Hypothesis Test Your Hypothesis by Doing an Experiment Analyze Your Data and Draw a Conclusion Communicate Your Results

When designing an experiment, the following steps are called The Scientific Method. a. Observation of a problem or posing a question. Research should be done to find out what is already known about the study, and questions are often raised about appropriate test subjects. This is the basis of scientific inquiry. b. State a hypothesis – A hypothesis is a possible explanations, or prediction of what may occur. These are often written as “If…then” statements. For example, “If I change the type of seeds in a bird feeder, then more birds will visit.”

OBSERVATION- -Use senses for information -We use INSTRUMENTS to extend the senses

Observation vs Inference List 2 Observation List 2 Inferences

The two types of observations Qualitative: This includes things like, color, texture, shape, hot vs. cold. Etc. Things that DO NOT contain a numeric values! Quantitative: This includes things like mass, weight, length, time, density Things that DO contain numeric values, and require measurements.

After scientists generate a hypothesis, they develop experimental tests to make observations and collect data. c. Collect data – In order for the data to be meaningful, the experiment must have a correctly designed protocol or method. d. Display the data in graphs, charts, or tables so that others can repeat the experiment and validate the accuracy of the experiment.

e. Analyze the data – Look for patterns, trends, statistical significance, percentage of change or relationship. f. Conclusion – establish your evidence, argue your point. Did the results support what was predicted? Were there any other possible explanations for the results? The experimenter may discuss possible future research or redesign considerations .

g. The experiment may lead to the development of a theory or law. Theory is an idea, principle or model that usually ties together and explains a cause and effect relationship that is conditional upon a set of circumstances. It is supported by a great deal of evidence. A law is always true and describes a phenomenon that we find happening in nature over and over in the same way, without exception. It does not attempt to explain how or why.

Professional scientists and researchers share their findings in scientific journals through publishing their results. Peer review is an important part of the process.

Important Experiment Vocab!

Independent Variable The independent, or manipulated variable, is a factor that’s intentionally varied by the experimenter.

Dependent Variable The dependent, or responding variable, is the factor that may change as a result of changes made in the independent variable.

Control Group In a scientific experiment, the control is the group that serves as the standard of comparison. The control group may be a “no treatment" or an “experimenter selected” group.

All experiments should have a control group. The control group is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group, except for the variable being tested. All experiments should have a control group.

Constants The constants in an experiment are all the factors that the experimenter attempts to keep the same.

Trials Trials refer to replicate groups that are exposed to the same conditions in an experiment.

Lab Write-UPs 9/3/13

Writing a formal lab report for an experimental design: 1. Purpose: This should be a statement. 2. Hypothesis: Tell what you expect to happen for each part of your experiment. Do not use personal pronouns. 3. Materials: Give a complete list. 4. Procedure: Use numbered steps and include everything so that someone else can complete the same experiment

5. Data: Summarize the results in paragraph form, then give charts, tables, graphs, photos, etc. Specifically refer to these by page number, graph number and so on in the body of the paper. 6. Conclusion: Relate results to the hypothesis. Explain errors and how to improve methods. 7. Discussion: Possible improvements or future research.