Scientific Method

The Steps: The SCIENTIFIC METHOD is a CYCLICAL process that involves the six (6) steps: 1)Identifying The Problem (using observations and QUESTIONS) 2)HYPOTHESIS 3)EXPERIMENT and OBSERVE data 4) ANALYZE results- what do they mean? 5) Make a CONCLUSION 6) More Questions and possibly a THEORY  

(EXPERIMENT) (CONCLUSIONS) Describes “how” nature behaves, but doesn’t explain “why” it behaves that way. Ie. “The bacteria are definitely growing, but I don’t know why.” (EXPERIMENT) (CONCLUSIONS)

Observations: 1. The basis of all sciences is the ability to make accurate OBSERVATIONS. There are 2 types…   QUALITATIVE: DEALS WITH PROPERTIES THAT DON’T NEED NUMBERS (E.G. STATE, COLOUR, ODOUR, ETC.) QUANTITATIVE: DEALS WITH PROPERTIES THAT REQUIRE A MEASUREMENT (E.G. DENSITY, MASS, SIZE, ETC.)

2. To enhance your powers of observations, 2. To enhance your powers of observations, INSTRUMENTS are often used to help make OBSERVATIONS.   eg. ELECTRONIC BALANCE, THERMOMETERS, GRADUATED CYLINDERS, METER STICKS

Once we do the experiment, and Observe the data, how can we portray the Data? Mathematical Equations Models - help us to understand or visualize a concept Classification Schemes - Organize a large collection of objects, ideas, etc. into smaller groups based upon a common property Eg. Library books, telephone book, periodic table

Classification Scheme…

Once we see patterns in the Data, we can make Predictions 1. Relationships allow us to make predictions which in turn are tested by making further observations.   2. If the relationship holds true after repeated testing, then it could become a theory if it can be used to explain past, present and future events

If the Prediction is not true…  1) Make more observations (perhaps in more detail)  2) Re-evaluate the relationship or hypothesis and change those parts that no longer fit. If the Prediction is not true…

The Scientific Method

Skittles and the Scientific Method Step 1. Questioning - Asking questions about phenomena in the world around us What kind of questions do we have about this bag of Skittles?

Step 2. Stating a Hypothesis A proposed explanation of a phenomena Making an educated guess Usually an “IF…THEN…” Based on the questions we asked, what sort of hypothesis can we come up with? IF skittles bags are labeled with the same mass, THEN there should be an even amount of skittles in each bag IF skittles were made by the same manufacturer, THEN there should be an even number of each color of skittle

Step 3. Conducting an Experiment Putting the Hypothesis to work. Conducting tests set out to prove or disprove your hypothesis In your groups, count the total number of Skittles in each bag, as well as the total number of each color in each bag. Send one member of the team up to write answers on board

Step 4. Analyzing the Results Looking at the results collected, determining what they mean. Usually involves visual representation (Charts, Graphs, etc.) What steps can we take in order to make these results more reliable?

Step 5. Conclusion The product of what happens when all the results have been analyzed Are we able to accept or reject our hypothesis? How can we use the results from this experiment to conduct further experiments?

Recap