Thinking Like a Scientist! The Scientific Method Thinking Like a Scientist!

The Scientific Method is a series of steps used to solve a problem . O P H E A C

Observations information that you obtain through your senses 5 Senses: Sight Smell Taste Touch Hearing

Problem What you are trying to find out Must be phrased in the form of a question

Hypothesis a prediction or an educated guess If… then… (because…) statement to show the cause and effect relationship Must be specific Must be measurable

Experiment An organized procedure for testing a hypothesis 4 Major Components: Data: all information gathered during an experiment Control: a group or a standard used for comparison Constants: the parts of an experiment that are the same for all groups Variables: the parts of an experiment that change

Analysis Organizing data into charts & graphs & drawing conclusions from gathered data

Conclusion a statement about whether or not the data supports your hypothesis and why or why not.

Parts of Experiments Constants Control Group Experimental Group Something that remains the same in all setups of the experiment. Control Group a group or a standard used for comparison Experimental Group A group of subjects that are exposed to the variable of a control experiment

Variables: the parts of an experiment that change 2 Types: Independent Variable (Manipulated Variable): factor that is intentionally changed. What the scientists does. CAUSE Dependent Variable (Responding Variable): factor that is changed as a result of the experiment EFFECT

Now what? What do we do once we conclude an experiment?

Conclusions to experiments may result in: Scientific Theories well-tested explanations for a set of observations or experimental results. Scientific Laws describe an observed pattern in nature and a law is accepted as TRUE.

How we use information gathered from experiments Pure Research seeks to gain knowledge for the sake of knowledge itself. Applied Research is research undertaken to solve a specific problem. Technology is the practical use of scientific information.

More about the experiment Remember that there are 4 parts of the experiment 4 Major Components: Data: all information gathered during an experiment Control: a group or a standard used for comparison Constants: the parts of an experiment that are the same for all groups Variables: the parts of an experiment that change

More about the experiment Remember! Independent Variable (Manipulated Variable): factor that is intentionally changed. What the scientists does. CAUSE Dependent Variable (Responding Variable): factor that is changed as a result of the experiment EFFECT The Independent Variable Causes the Dependent Variable to Change!!

MINI QUIZ Your class has come down with a case of the Sotireda School AlreadyFever. A new experimental medicine is available, but has never been tested on humans. To set up the experiment, half the class will take the medication and half the class will take the sugar pill. No one except you knows who will receive which pill.

MINI QUIZ The control set up is ____________________ Some students are not taking the medication The constants are ____________________ All students are taking a pill The independent variable is_______________. Taking the medication The dependent variable is _________________. Feeling better

Question Why would scientists only change one variable at a time?

Practice with Variables Remember that the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE is what is purposefully changed. The DEPENDENT VARIABLE is what is changed as a result of the experiment. The _________ caused the ________ to change. independent variable dependent variable

Practice with Variables Problem: What effect does studying with music have on the students test scores? What are we purposely changing? Turning on the music while the students study What may change as a result? The test scores Answer: Independent variable-turning on the music Dependent variable-test scores

MINI QUIZ You are talking with your friends in the hallway when one of them starts talking about a new cologne/perfume that they just heard about. This new scent is supposed to make the person that wears it simply irresistible (oh la la). You have been worried about asking out the perfect homecoming date, and this could be the solution! You and your friends decide to do an experiment to see if this new scent really works. Half of you will wear the new cologne for the next week, while the other half will wear nothing, and try to see how many dates you get.

MINI QUIZ What is the control? What is the independent variable? What is the dependent variable? What are the constants?

Experiment-Does salt affect the boiling point of water? Hypothesis would be….. The control would be….. Name the constants. Identify the independent variable and the dependent variable. Run the experiment and collect the data. Analyze your data and write a conclusion.