Scientific Method – Series of Steps

Scientific Method 1. Problem/Question 2. Observation/Research 3. Hypothesis 4. Experiment 5. Collect and Analyze data 6. Conclusion 7. Report the Results 8. Repeat the experiment

1. Problem This is a question that the experiment is asking Example: Why does my breath smell in the morning?

Observation/Research Make observations and do research Examples: Research about teeth, bacteria, and oral hygiene

Hypothesis Needs to be in a IF THEN statement Example: IF a person brushes and flosses their teeth twice a day, THEN their breath will not smell.

Hypothesis IF a person brushes and flosses their teeth twice a day (what you’re changing in the experiment), THEN their breath will not smell (what you think will be affected).

EXPERIMENT It has 2 groups : the control group and the experimental group. The control group remains the same The experimental group has one variable changed

Control Experimental Students will brush their teeth “normally,” twice a day Remains the same Students will brush and floss their teeth twice a day We’ve changed one variable

Independent Variable The variable that YOU CHANGE is called the independent variable The experimental group receives the independent variable

Dependent Variable The dependent variable is what’s affected by the independent variable

What is the independent variable in our experiment? IF a person brushes and flosses their teeth twice a day, THEN their breath will not smell.

What is the dependent variable in our experiment? IF a person brushes and flosses their teeth twice a day, THEN their breath will not smell.

After the experiment you will….. 5. Collect and Analyze data 6. Make a Conclusion 7. Report the Results 8. Repeat the experiment

What will always make an experiment better Having a larger sample size (ex: more people) Repeating the experiment Having an equal number of males to females Increasing the number of trials