The SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Further Scientific Inquiry Identify Variables + Controls SET UP The SCIENTIFIC METHOD Site Sources Further Scientific Inquiry Communicate Results Draw Conclusions Analyze Results Test Hypothesis Form Hypothesis Identify Variables + Controls Observe + Question 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

OBSERVE + QUESTION OBSERVATION – the act of using one or more of your senses to gather information. QUALITATIVE uses senses descriptive not measureable based on qualities “smells like lemon” QUANTITATIVE collected with tools – rulers, balances, thermometers measureable recorded as numbers based on quantities “rock is 45g”

OBSERVE + QUESTION INFERENCE – a logical explanation of an observation that is drawn from prior knowledge or experience. Not observed directly “The sidewalk must be wet because it rained.”

IDENTIFY VARIABLES + CONTROLS INDEPENDENT VARIABLE – the factor you want to test changed by the investigator to observe how it affects a dependent variable also called “manipulated variable” I CHANGE!

IDENTIFY VARIABLES + CONTROLS DEPENDENT VARIABLE – the factor you observe or measure during an experiment also called “responding variable” MEASURED!

IDENTIFY VARIABLES + CONTROLS CONTROLS – the factors that remain unchanged in an experiment ensures any changes are a result of independent variable also called “constants” FAIR EQUAL FAIR EQUAL SAME!

FORM HYPOTHESIS HYPOTHESIS – a possible explanation for an observation that can be easily tested by scientific investigations can be easily written in “if”, “then” format which includes the independent (if) variable and dependent (then) variable. “If I increase the amount of water added to the tomato plants, then they will grow taller.”

TEST HYPOTHESIS Gather research and background information Design experiment Write procedure in step-by-step, numbered list Identify and collect materials Perform experiment Collect data and record observations

ANALYZE RESULTS - GRAPH RESULTS - CLASSIFY INFORMATION Line Graphs – track changes over time for one or more group Pie Chart – compare parts of a whole Bar Graphs – compare things between different groups or track changes over time - CLASSIFY INFORMATION - MAKE CALCULATIONS

DRAW CONCLUSIONS CONCLUSION – a summary of the information gained from testing a hypothesis. Restate the overall purpose of the experiment. Summarize your findings – put your data in words, describe your graph results. State if your hypothesis was proven true, proven wrong, or if results were inconclusive. Describe what changes could be made to improve the experiment.

COMMUNICATE RESULTS Scientists communicate results of investigations to inform other scientists about their research and conclusions of their research. Present results to peer – science fair Write science journal articles Exchange information on the internet

FURTHER SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY IF HYPOTHESIS IS SUPPORTED… scientists will retest the predictions several times to make sure the conclusions are the same. IF HYPOTHESIS IS SUPPORTED… scientists will retest the predictions several times to make sure the conclusions are the same. IF HYPOTHESIS IS NOT SUPPORTED… new information gained can be used to revise hypothesis and retest. IF HYPOTHESIS IS NOT SUPPORTED… new information gained can be used to revise hypothesis and retest.

SITE SOURCES BIBLIOGRAPHY BUILDER - www.easybib.com Give credit to the original author of any information collected for your project from books, magazines, and/or internet. BIBLIOGRAPHY BUILDER - www.easybib.com