Scientific Method

Step 1) Problem/Research State and identify the problem (question) Ex: Will a new “super” fertilizer cause sunflowers to grow at a faster rate than regular fertilizer? Research problem

Step 2) Formulate a Hypothesis an educated guess or prediction about the outcome of an experiment If….Then…because statement

Hypothesis Example Ex: If I use the new “super” fertilizer on one group of sunflowers and regular fertilizer on another group, Then the group that gets the “super” fertilizer will grow at a faster rate, Because the “super” fertilizer has more nutrients

Variables Independent Variable: what you change, follows the If in the hypothesis. Ex: type of fertilizer Dependent Variable: the outcome that is measured, follows the Then in the hypothesis. Ex: growth of sunflowers

(Variables Continued) Controlled Variables (constants): the things that stay the same between all groups in an experiment. Ex: amt. of water, sunlight, temperature

Step 3) Experiment Prediction is tested List all materials needed Give a step by step set of procedures Record the results using data tables, pictures, or observation statements

Groups in an Experiment: Experimental Group – the group that gets the special treatment or test (the sunflowers who get “super” fertilizer and regular fertilizer). Control Group – the part of an experiment that does not receive the special treatment or test (for the example you would have a group of sunflowers who only get water with no fertilizer added).

(Groups Continued) Need a control group to make an experiment valid (allows for comparison to experimental group).

Step 4) Analysis/Conclusion Analyze data in order to formulate a conclusion State the results of the experiment Accept/Reject your hypothesis (do not say that your hypothesis was correct or incorrect!) Organize results for sharing with others