The Scientific Method

What is the Scientific Method? The scientific method is the basic method, guide, and system by which we originate, refine, extend, and apply knowledge in all fields.

What is the Scientific Method? The way we (scientists) do things. • Scientists have a unique way of looking at the world. •They want to know more about their world. •They follow a set of rules for governing their research

While the method was largely developed by scientists, it is also a general method for all domains. Thus it is: 
 The Complete Method of Problem Solving and Decision Making for All Fields

Steps to the Scientific Method

Problem / Question The scientific method starts when you ask a question about something that you observe: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where? In order for the scientific method to answer the question, it must be about something that you can measure, preferably with a number.

Research Sources include: - Past relevant experiments - Encyclopedias - Scientific Journals - RELIABLE Online Resources Must be in your OWN WORDS Proper citing is important! Give credit where it is due

Must be in IF-THEN-BECAUSE format! Hypothesis Must be in IF-THEN-BECAUSE format! TESTABLE Independent Variable: The condition be studied. It is controlled by the experimenter. ex. Water Dependent Variable: The condition affected by the ind. variable. It can’t be controlled by the experimenter. ex. Plant Growth Control: The condition that is represented in a normal situation

Constructing Your “If” Statement 1. Start your sentence with the word “If” 2. Write down one of the variables 3. Connect statement with one of the following: is related to is affected by Causes 4. Write down the other variable

Constructing Your “Then” Statement - Write the word “then” (following the “if” section) - Make a comment on the relationship between those two variables. Ex. If section: If water is related to plant growth, Ex. Then section: then the more plants are watered, the taller they will grow.

Hypothesis Exercises Chocolate may cause pimples. Salt in soil may affect plant growth. Plant growth may be affected by the color of the light. Bacterial growth may be affected by temperature. Ultra violet light may cause skin cancer. Temperature may cause leaves to change color.

Test the Hypothesis Experiments test your hypothesis. The best experimental design is “controlled.”

Controlled Experimentation In most experiments there is a control group and experimental groups. The two groups are as similar as possible, but the treatment group is the one that experiences the variable that you’re studying. Control Group – group in which the independent variable is either eliminated or set at a standard value. You MUST have a control group in order to be able to measure the effects of your independent variable upon the dependent variable. Experimental Group(s) – groups which are being exposed to the independent variable.

Collect Data The results of an experiment are called “data.” Scientists use their five senses to collect data.

Collect Data Scientists often use specialized equipment to help them collect their data.

Analyze Data Now that you have your data, you must make sense of it. Scientists use: - Charts - Tables - Graphs - Equations

What does the data mean? There are two options: The evidence supports the hypothesis. The evidence is inconsistent with the hypothesis.

What do you do? If the data is inconsistent with the hypothesis, you revise your hypothesis in light of your new information. Then you design a new experiment. If the data supports the hypothesis, you repeat the experiment several times to make sure you did everything right.

OK, I’ve got it all right. Now what? Tell everyone, silly! Scientists publish their findings to share what they’ve discovered with other scientists (and to brag a little, too.)