The Scientific Method

Steps to the Scientific Method 5. Collect Data 6. Analyze Data 7. Draw Conclusions 8. Share Information 1. Observation 2. Research 3. Hypothesis 4. Experiment

The Scientific Method Starts with a question Starts with a question Only tests one question at a time Only tests one question at a time

Make…. Observation Observation Using the five senses (taste, touch, smell, sight, sound) Using the five senses (taste, touch, smell, sight, sound)

Inference A statement about a general situation based on prior knowledge A statement about a general situation based on prior knowledge Used to form your question Used to form your question

Do… Research Research Books, journals, magazines, newspapers, electronic sources Books, journals, magazines, newspapers, electronic sources Should be CURRENT Should be CURRENT

Create a….. Hypothesis Hypothesis Educated Guess/Possible Explanation that answers your question Educated Guess/Possible Explanation that answers your question If…Then…Because… statement If…Then…Because… statement

Design and Carry Out an… Experiment Experiment Process of testing a hypothesis Process of testing a hypothesis Must have: Must have: Independent Variable/I.V. (manipulated variable)---thing we purposely change Independent Variable/I.V. (manipulated variable)---thing we purposely change Dependent Variable/D.V. (responding variable)—measured response of the I.V. Dependent Variable/D.V. (responding variable)—measured response of the I.V. Trials/Sample Size-- # of times experiment is run Trials/Sample Size-- # of times experiment is run Control—Experiment run without the I.V. used for comparison Control—Experiment run without the I.V. used for comparison Constants– Conditions kept the same for all trials Constants– Conditions kept the same for all trials

Collect… Data Data Collected during experiments Collected during experiments Two types Two types Quantitative—numerical data (Ex. 1,2,3) Quantitative—numerical data (Ex. 1,2,3) Qualitative—descriptive data (Ex. Fast/Slow) Qualitative—descriptive data (Ex. Fast/Slow)

Analyze Data… Compare and contrast your findings Compare and contrast your findings Expressed in charts and graphs Expressed in charts and graphs

Graphs Need… Meaningful Title (The effects of the I.V. on the D.V.) Meaningful Title (The effects of the I.V. on the D.V.) Legend Legend D.V.—Y-Axis D.V.—Y-Axis I.V.—X-Axis I.V.—X-Axis L egen d : Independent Variable—X-Axis DependentVariableDependentVariable

Draw… Conclusions Conclusions Support or reject hypothesis Support or reject hypothesis Retest to make sure you get the same results Retest to make sure you get the same results If rejected, go back and form a new hypothesis and retest If rejected, go back and form a new hypothesis and retest Communicate Communicate What you discovered What you discovered Any mistakes or improvements? Any mistakes or improvements? Sources of errors—Errors in the experiment that may have changed the results Sources of errors—Errors in the experiment that may have changed the results

Major Discovery? Major Discovery? Theory--Many scientists have tested and gotten the same results Theory--Many scientists have tested and gotten the same results Law - a phenomenon of nature that has been proven to invariably occur whenever certain conditions exist or are met. It is generally accepted to be true and universal. Law - a phenomenon of nature that has been proven to invariably occur whenever certain conditions exist or are met. It is generally accepted to be true and universal.

LAB REPORT

Guided Question Student generated Student generated Clear and concise Clear and concise Must be investigatiable Must be investigatiable Relates to the purpose Relates to the purpose

Hypothesis Provides an possible explanation that answers your guided question Provides an possible explanation that answers your guided question Based on observation, research and past experience Based on observation, research and past experience Must be an if…then…because statement Must be an if…then…because statement

Materials and Procedures List all the materials needed for the lab in bullet form List all the materials needed for the lab in bullet form Write a paragraph or paragraphs explaining each step that is took in order to complete the experiment. Anyone should be able to read this and duplicate your experiment. Write a paragraph or paragraphs explaining each step that is took in order to complete the experiment. Anyone should be able to read this and duplicate your experiment.

Results and Data Describe in detail the final outcome of the investigation using words, numbers, pictures, graphs and charts. Describe in detail the final outcome of the investigation using words, numbers, pictures, graphs and charts. Sequence the results as the occurred. Sequence the results as the occurred.

Conclusion Explain and communicate how the investigation addressed the guiding question and hypothesis. Explain and communicate how the investigation addressed the guiding question and hypothesis. Use complete sentences. Use complete sentences. Based on evidence and data Based on evidence and data States if the hypothesis is supported or rejected States if the hypothesis is supported or rejected

New Questions 2 questions based on the experiment 2 questions based on the experiment