Scientific Method

1: Make an Observation

2: Form a Hypothesis Hypothesis Statement that can be tested Educated guess Predict outcome of your study

3: Experiment Used to test hypothesis Must be controlled Compare results of control group to results of experimental groups

3: Experiment Continued… Experimental and Control Groups are identical except for independent variable During experiment, scientist measures or collects data on the dependent variable Quantitative: numerical data Qualitative: observational data 3: Experiment Continued…

Example Let’s say I am performing an experiment to see how candy as a reward impacts participation in class Student 1 will be given a large candy bar if he/she participates Student 2 will be given one piece of candy if he/she participates Student 3 will be given no candy if he/she participates Student 4 will be given a candy bowl whenever he/she participates Which student is the control group? Which students are the experimental groups? What is the independent variable being studied? What is the dependent variable being studied?

4: Drawing a Conclusion Analyze collected data Graphs visualize results Independent variable always on x-axis Dependent variable always on y-axis

4: Drawing a Conclusion Continued… If hypothesis is supported, publish results in journals so others can replicate If the hypothesis is rejected, start again with a new hypothesis

If a hypothesis is tested and found to be true by many experiments, a theory can then be formed Theory: statement (hypothesis) that has been proven true by the scientific method 5: Forming a Theory

Scientific Law Not part of the scientific method statement that is believed to be true never been proven by the scientific method Example: law of gravity