Scientific Method 1. Observation: use senses leads to a question 2. Gather Data from Observations Qualitative: characteristics (ex: red hair) Quantitative: numbers (ex: plant height= 32cm) or 3. Form a Hypothesis using Prior Knowledge Data 4. Test Hypothesis by Observation & sometimes Experiments 5. Record & Analyze Data (charts & graphs) 6. Form a Conclusion based on Evidence

Controlled Experiments!! 1) You are trying to answer 1 question 2) You have a testable hypothesis 3) test hypothesis by setting up a CONTROLLED EXPERIMENT Controlled Experiment- isolate & test effects of a single factor or variable; everything else is controlled (everything else stays the same)

Controlled Experiments… Types of Variables *independent variable (manipulated variable) = variable that is deliberately changed (What am I in control of?) (Should be the only thing that is different between test groups) *dependent variable (responding variable) = variable that is observed and changes in response (What am I measuring!!!!) *Controlled Variable(s) = Everything/Anything else that could possibly affect your results must be kept the same!!!!!!!!!!!

Lets Look at a Possible Experiment Independent Variable What was I testing? Dependent Variable What was I measuring? Controlled Variables What has to be kept the same to make this a controlled experiment? My 8th grade science fair experiment was to test which brand of wax would be the fastest (for skating). To answer this question we set up an experiment. We rubbed each type of wax on a cement block in 3 rows, and set up the block at a 45 degree angle. We sets a brick at the top of each row of wax, and timed how long it took for the brick to reach the bottom. We assumed the wax with the shortest time will be the fastest.

What were the variables? Controlled variables Same block, same angle, same brick, Independent (Manipulated) variable Type of wax Dependent (Responding) variable: Time the brick took to slide

Conclusion/Discussion Should interpret the Data and include 4 parts: In PARAGRAPH form!!! Restate the problem. Summarize your experimental results (what did your data tell you?). Explain why you got those results. State whether the data supports or doesn’t support your hypothesis. Suggest possible sources of error in the experiment. If you were to do this experiment again, what would you do differently to improve your results?

Why Do Scientists Write Lab Reports? So their work can be replicated by either themselves or other researchers WHY? The knowledge we have is a collective and the more knowledge that is shared, the more we can learn as a species!

Organizing Data Data is organized and presented in tables, charts, and graphs. GRAPHING... Graph - visual representation of data (must have these 5 things) 1) Title 2) x and y axis labeled (ex: time and temp) 3) units for both the x and y axis [ex: (s) and (C0)] 4) scale is evenly and correctly spaced for data 5) Key when appropriate

TYPES OF GRAPHS Line Graph Bar Graph Circle Graph/Pie Chart Great for showing change over time Bar Graph Great for comparing values Circle Graph/Pie Chart Great for showing parts of a whole (percentage)