The Scientific Method

Scientific Method A step by step process where a scientist investigates a question by observing and performing experiments.

Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Inference Hypothesis Controlled Experiment Data/Conclusion Retest and Report your Findings

Observation and Inference Through observation, you formulate a question that you are trying to answer. For example: My car won’t start. Why? Inferences can be made using information you already know through books, past experiences, etc. My car is out of gas.

Hypothesis This is what you think the answer to your question is based on the information that you have gathered.

Controlled Experiment Only tests a single factor in the experiment Has a control group Has a manipulated (aka independent) variable and a responding (aka dependent) variable

Data/Conclusion The results of the experiment is your data It may be in charts, graphs, or written work This is what happened in the experiment In the conclusion, you answer the question you asked at the beginning of the experiment You also state if your hypothesis was correct or not

Retest and Report Retest the hypothesis numerous times Report your findings so other scientists can learn from your experiments

Hypothesis vs Theory vs Law Hypothesis an inference about why something happens based on some data Theory in-depth explanation of why something happens based on lots of data and accepted by the scientific community Law statement about something that happens that is universally accepted as being true