The Scientific Method

What is the Scientific Method?  It is a series of steps used to help solve a problem.  It is also a general way to help organize your thinking about questions that you might think of as scientific

There are STEPS to the Scientific Method  Make an Observation  Research the Problem  Develop a Hypothesis  Develop a Controlled Experiment  Analyze the Data  Draw a Conclusion

Make an Observation  After making an observation of the natural world, define the problem and make sure only one problem is being studied. ALL scientific experimentation starts with observation.  EXAMPLE : Toaster stops working.

Research the Problem  Use all available resources to collect data on the subject being covered. Libraries, Internet, books, magazines, personal interviews, etc.  EXAMPLE: What is wrong with the toaster? (Read toaster Manual.)

Draw a Hypothesis  Make it a short definitive statement. It may be an "if" then" statement. The “if” part will become the hypothesis and the then part should be the results received at the end of the controlled experiment.  Example: If the toaster is unplugged, then plugging it in should make it work.

Develop a Controlled Experiment  A controlled experiment is an experiment that contains only one experimental variable. Everything else in the experiment or all other variables must be the same.  Example: Plug the toaster in but do not change anything else in regards to the toaster.

Analyze the Data  Data may be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative (appearance, properties, etc.).  EXAMPLE : The toaster worked upon being plugged in to the wall circuit.

Draw a Conclusion  What does your data TELL you?  Does your data reject or accept your hypothesis?  EXAMPLE: The data shows our hypothesis was correct.

What is a Controlled Experiment?  A controlled experiment has:  independent variable - This is the thing you are changing in the experiment. There is ONE independent variable  Dependent variable - this is the thing that DEPENDS on the independent variable. It is what is changing.  Controlled variables - these are all the other things in the experiment that you are keeping the same