The Scientific Method What is it? Logical, problem-solving technique

Steps Of The Scientific Method  Problem  Hypothesis  Materials  Procedure  Data/Results  Conclusion

Hint To Remember The Steps People  Problem Hate  Hypothesis Mud  Materials Pigs  Procedure Don’t Really  Data/Results Care  Conclusion

Problem Statement question A question that compares variables. Should be what you want to find out. –Example: Does the drop height affect the bounce height of a superball?

What Are Variables? Something that changes. There are independent variables and dependent variables.

Look back at the last example: Example: Does the drop height affect the bounce height of a superball? What two things are changing? Drop height, bounce height These are the VARIABLES.

What is an Independent Variable? (Also called Manipulated Variable)  We manipulate, or change it, on purpose. Example: Does the drop height affect the bounce height of a superball? Independent Variable in example: Drop heights used (we change them on purpose)

What is a Dependent Variable? (Also called Responding Variable)  Changes depending on some other factors  Variable we are trying to find out (data you are collecting) Example: Does the drop height affect the bounce height of a superball? Dependent Variable in example: bounce heights (We don’t know them before we start.)

What is a Constant?  Does not change for the duration of an experiment  Known as the controlled variable. Example: Does the drop height affect the bounce height of a superball? One constant in example: superball (Does not change during the experiment - same ball would be used)

Hypothesis EDUCATED GUESS What you think the results of the experiment will show Example: If a superball is dropped from increasing heights then the bounce heights will also increase because…(explain why)

Materials List of items used to conduct an experiment (Don’t list pencil and paper unless part of experiment.) Be sure to list quantities and sizes of equipment (metric)

Procedure Numbered steps of the experiment that will be followed to answer the problem Note: An experiment can only test one independent variable at a time. Note: To ensure reliability and validity, repeated trials should be done.

Data/Results Observations Graphs Drawings Pictures Charts Tables And so on….

Conclusion A statement that presents the findings of the experiment using specific data Answers the problem Explains what the data shows (data should support conclusion) States if the hypothesis was supported or rejected

Why Do We Use Graphs? Graphs help us visualize numerical data. There are several different types of graphs: –Bar graphs –Pie graphs (Circle graphs) –Line graphs

Bar Graphs Bar graphs are used to show a comparison of multiple objects.

Pie Graphs Pie graphs are used to compare the parts of a whole.

Line Graphs Line graphs are used to the show the relationship between variables. Many times line graphs show change over time.

Graphing Variables The Independent Variable (Manipulated Variable) is graphed on the X-Axis The Dependent Variable (Responding Variable) is graphed on the Y-Axis

Remember: DRY MIX X-axis Y-axis Manipulated Variable also called Independent Variable Dependent Variable also called Responding Variable

1. The Independent Variable is: a.Temperature b.Time c.Solubility 2. The Dependent Variable is: a. Temperature b. Time c. Solubility

3. The variable that changes depending on some other factors A.Independent Variable B.Dependent Variable C.Controlled Variable

4. A variable that does not change for the duration of an experiment. A. Independent Variable B. Dependent Variable C. Controlled Variable

5. What you think the results of the experiment will show. A.Problem B.Hypothesis C.Conclusion D.Data

6. An is an opinion, or conclusion, based on observed facts. A.Observation B.Inference C.Data D.Conclusion