The Scientific Method

What is it? A way to find answers to questions in which: a) your answer is most likely to be correct b) the steps are repeatable c) the chances of making a mistake are minimized

There are several versions of the scientific method. Some versions have more steps while others may have only a few. They all, however, provide an organized method of conducting and analyzing an experiment.

RESULTS Quantitative Information – measurements and numerical information Qualitative Information – observed using senses Step 1: Step 2: Step 6: Step 5: Step 4: Step 3: a) b) Design an Experiment and/or Procedure/Method

RESULTS Quantitative Information – measurements and numerical information Qualitative Information – observed using senses Step 1: Step 2: Step 6: Step 5: Step 4: Step 3: a) b) Design an Experiment and/or Procedure/Method

RESULTS Quantitative Information – measurements and numerical information Qualitative Information – observed using senses Step 1: Step 2: Step 6: Step 5: Step 4: Step 3: a) b) Design an Experiment and/or Procedure/Method

RESULTS Quantitative Information – measurements and numerical information Qualitative Information – observed using senses Step 1: Step 2: Step 6: Step 5: Step 4: Step 3: a) b) Design an Experiment and/or Procedure/Method

RESULTS Quantitative Information – measurements and numerical information Qualitative Information – observed using senses Step 1: Step 2: Step 6: Step 5: Step 4: Step 3: a) b) Design an Experiment and/or Procedure/Method

RESULTS Qualitative Information – observed using senses Step 1: Step 2: Step 6: Step 5: Step 4: Step 3: a) b) Design an Experiment and/or Procedure/Method

RESULTS Quantitative Information – measurements and numerical information Qualitative Information – observed using senses Step 1: Step 2: Step 6: Step 5: Step 4: Step 3: a) b) Design an Experiment and/or Procedure/Method

RESULTS Quantitative Information – measurements and numerical information Step 1: Step 2: Step 6: Step 5: Step 4: Step 3: a) b) Design an Experiment and/or Procedure/Method

RESULTS Quantitative Information – measurements and numerical information Qualitative Information – observed using senses Step 1: Step 2: Step 6: Step 5: Step 4: Step 3: a) b) Design an Experiment and/or Procedure/Method

RESULTS Quantitative Information – measurements and numerical information Qualitative Information – observed using senses Step 1: Step 2: Step 6: Step 5: Step 4: Step 3: a) b) Design an Experiment and/or Procedure/Method

Scientific Method Step 1: Develop a Question - What does the scientist want to learn more about? - Alternatively, this step can also be the purpose. - There are 8 characteristics of a good question:

Question Examples (you don’t need to write these down, they are just to get an idea) To find out how many pieces of gum will fit in a Grade 9 student’s mouth. What temperature does apple juice boil at? I want to know how much water to give a cactus each month for the most growth. How does washing affect the growth of human hair? To determine the optimum time of day to eat protein for improved energy.

What is a GOOD Question? (pg.11) 1. A good scientific question is __________________________________. Why is there air? What is the air made of? 2. A good scientific question can be tested by some _____________________or ____________________that you can do. Where did the Universe come from? How fast does a football fly through the air when I throw it? 3. A good scientific question builds on _______________________________. What chemicals are needed to make radishes grow? What is the source of genetic mutations in drosophila melanogaster? One that can have an answer ObservationMeasurement what you already know   

What is a GOOD Question? 4. A good scientific question can ________________________________________. What is the color of the sky? What events or conditions cause the sky to be blue (or orange or brown? 5. A good question is ____________________and ________________________.  Why do leaves turn brown? How does the amount of sun a plant receives affect the colour of the leaf? 6. A good question is ________________ to the topic that is being researched. If you wanted to learn about gravity, which of the following would be a good question? What materials are best at keeping astronauts warm in space? How do astronauts’ bodies change when they are in a zero gravity environment? lead to other good questions. specificclearly worded linked   

What is a GOOD Question? 7. A good question could have ________________________. It is not a simple “yes or no” answer. Do plants grow in the dark? What lighting conditions are best for plants to grow? 8. A good question is one that __________________________________________. How is a planet’s motion influenced by objects around it? When is my birthday? many answers you don’t already know the answer to  

What about a Smartie? Take the next 5 minutes with a partner and come up with an example of a GOOD question and a BAD question about a Smartie.

Scientific Method Step 2: Research A hypothesis is an educated guess. Before formulating a hypothesis, you must research the topic and use that research to support your reasoning. Research also should be used when explaining and supporting your conclusions.  Where can you go to gather information?  What sources could you use?

Searching with Success Web Searching Tool Complete this tutorial to develop your researching skills: This must be completed for the following date: ________________________

Some important things to remember when conducting research: 1.Make sure the material is up to date 2.Make sure the material is from a reliable, accurate source 3.Make sure you understand the information you are getting from the website 4.ALL RESEARCH MUST BE REFERENCED AND IN YOUR OWN WORDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sample Reference Recording Criteria (pg. 14)

Book Author(s) - ____________________________________________________________________________ Title of book - __________________________________________________________________________ City of publication - ______________________________________________________________________ Publisher - ____________________________________________________________________________ Year of publication - _____________________________________________________________________ Book Author(s) - ____________________________________________________________________________ Title of book - __________________________________________________________________________ City of publication - ______________________________________________________________________ Publisher - ____________________________________________________________________________ Year of publication - _____________________________________________________________________ Journal/Magazine Article Author(s) - ____________________________________________________________________________ Title of article - _________________________________________________________________________ Journal/Magazine name - ________________________________________________________________ Volume number - _______________________________________________________________________ Date of publication - _____________________________________________________________________ Page number(s) - _______________________________________________________________________

Newspaper Article Author(s) - ___________________________________________________________________________ Title of article - _______________________________________________________________________ Newspaper name - ____________________________________________________________________ Volume number - _____________________________________________________________________ Date of publication - ___________________________________________________________________ Page number(s) - _____________________________________________________________________ Website Author(s) [if available] - __________________________________________________________________ Title of document - ______________________________________________________________________ Copyright/Update Date - __________________________________________________________________ Sponsoring Organisation [if available] - ______________________________________________________ Date accessed [Day Month Year] - _________________________________________________________ URL address - _________________________________________________________________________