Scientific Method (simplified) Problem Observations Hypothesis Experiment Data Conclusion Retest

Problem A problem is a question based upon observations.

Observations Gather information about the problem.

Hypothesis A suggested solution to the problem/question. If…Then…

Experiment A procedure to test the hypothesis. Variable  factors that can change Control  experiment without the variable

Variables Manipulating/ independent variable  variable that is deliberately changed by scientist Responding/ dependent variable  variable that is observed and that changes in response to the manipulated variable Controlled variables  variables that should remain the same in all the experiments

Control Group The control group acts as a reference point or measuring stick to compare with the variable group. Any difference between the two groups can only be due to the one experimental factor that is being tested. Sometimes the control group is blind. This means that the members of the control group do not realize that they are not even part of the experimental group. This is when the placebo is used. Many drugs are tested in this fashion by pharmaceutical companies to remove the "placebo effect".

Data Results of the experiment. Can be: Quantitative Qualitative

Data Reporting Data can be reported both in narrative form and through diagrams, tables and graphs.

Conclusion The answer to the hypothesis, once it has been tested is often called a “theory”.

What’s the difference?

Retest In order to verify the results, experiments must be re-testable. If they cannot be re- tested, then they are outside the realm of science.

For Example… What are some things that cannot be tested by science? Is science theistic, or a theistic?

Got it? Let’s see… Let’s say I wanted to see what type of fertilizer would make my tomato plants produce the largest tomatoes. What would be my independent variable? What would be my dependent variable? What would be my controlled variables? What would be my control experiment?

More Practice… 1.An experiment was done to determine if the time it takes to run a kilometer depends on the amount of exercise a person gets. 2.An experiment was done to determine if the higher the temperature of water, the faster an egg will cook. 3.An investigation was done to see if keeping the lights on for different amounts of time each day affects the number of eggs chickens laid. 4. An experiment was done to determine if the temperature of water in a lake varied at different depths.

And more… 6. An experiment was done to determine if the amount of pollution produced by cars was affected by the amount of lead in the gasoline those cars used. 7. An experiment was done to determine if lemon trees receiving the most water produce the largest lemons. 8. Five groups of rats are fed identical diets except for the amount of Vitamin A that they receive. Each group gets a different amount of Vitamin A. After 3 weeks on the diet, the rats are massed (weighed) to see if the amount of Vitamin A received has affected their mass.

And more… 12. Which fruit contains the most Vitamin C? 13. The amount of aspirin in over the counter medications. 14. Do adults have a faster reaction time while sitting or standing? 15. The effect of surface area on the altitude of kites.

Now design your own… Design your own experiment. Identify all the components of the scientific method that we discussed.