The Scientific Method By: Wanda S. Roberts

The Scientific Method: Teacher: Wanda Roberts Grade level: 7th Subject area: Science Standards: S7CS5 Use to illustrate the scientific steps in solving a problem

What is the Scientific Method? Scientist use the scientific method as the basis of their investigation. It is used to answer a question or solve a problem. Also, it is a series of steps.

The Scientific Method Steps Ask a question Form a hypothesis Test the hypothesis Analyze the results Draw conclusions Communicate results

Step One Ask a question based on observations Collect the data on a question you want answered or need explanation about. You a clearly making a observation about a question you want answered Example: You noticed something is wrong with the some frogs. You wanted to know why some of the frogs are not normal.

Step Two Form a hypothesis and each need to be tested The hypothesis is a explanation or answer to a question. A hypothesis is testable by experiment. Example: Hypothesis 1:The deformities were caused by one or more chemical pollutants in the water. Prediction must be made before you test a hypothesis. Prediction: If a substance in the pond water is causing deformities, then some tadpoles will have deformities when they are raised.

Step 3 Test the hypothesis after a prediction is made The scientist attempts to show the factor caused the observed outcome You have a control group and the experiment group. The control group is the group that does not change it stays the same through out he experiment whereas the experiment group is the one you are testing. Example: You will create a table for the two different groups and you will place the data according to what you are testing.

Step Four Analyze the Results: This is where you put the data into a table or graph. The graph below does not reflect the information for this experiment, but you may use one similar to this. You chart your information to analyze it.

Step 5 Draw Conclusions You are deciding if results of the experiments support a hypothesis. If your hypothesis is not supported by your test, you try to find another explanation for what they have observed.

Last Step You communicate the results You are basically tell others what you have discovered This helps to discover new answers and questions