Scientific Methodology One Goal of Science is to provide natural explanations for events in the natural world Then, use those explanations to understand patterns in nature and make predictions about natural events

1. Observations: the act of noticing and describing events in a careful, orderly way; - these observations lead to Questions or PROBLEMS which need to be solved 2. Hypothesis: possible explanation for observations or questions that can be tested

3. Controlled Experiment (test) - only ONE variable is changed - control group: exposed to the same conditions as experimental group EXCEPT for one Independent Variable (IV) 4. Collect/ Record/ Analyze Data - -Qualitative Data (descriptions) and Quantitative Data (numbers; measurements)

5. Conclusions - experimental data is used as Evidence to support, refute, or revise the hypothesis.

Identifying Variables Every experiment involves several variables - factors which can change

Independent Variables Also called “Manipulated variables” or IV This is the variable you PURPOSELY change and test ie - the temperature of the room

Dependent Variable Also called - “Responding Variable” or DV The factor that MAY CHANGE as a result of the Independent Variable ie: how fast plants grow in response to the temperature change.

Controlling Variables Keeping all conditions the same EXCEPT for the Independent Variable (IV) Ie: size of the container, type of soil, amount of water, amount of light, use of fertilizers, same kind of plants When all variables are controlled, you can then conclude that the differences in your results are due to the changes in the Independent Variable (IV)