The Scientific Method Or How to think like a Scientist

Steps of the Scientific Method State the Problem Gather Data State Hypothesis Test the Hypothesis Conclusion

STATE THE PROBLEM In your own words, describe what you wish to find out.

GATHER DATA Research the problem so that you can state a hypothesis, which is an educated guess.

STATE the HYPOTHESIS A statement of a probable solution to your problem. This is an “if- then” statement.

TESTING the HYPOTHESIS Design an experiment to provide accurate data to test your hypothesis.

Experimentation To test the hypothesis, an experiment is performed. An experiment has two parts, the control and the variable.

Parts of the experiment Control The part of the experiment that does not change. Variable The part of the experiment that changes. You only have ONE variable.

Observation Observations are recorded facts about what you see. –vs. inference There are two types of observations. –Quantitative –Qualitative

Observation Quantitative Results in a numerical form, with a unit. Qualitative Results in a descriptive form.

Types of Properties Extensive Property – depends on the amount of matter. Examples: volume, mass, amount of energy in a substance. Intensive Property – DOES NOT depend on the amount of matter. Examples: density, heat and electricity conduction, boiling point, etc.

? ? ? ? ? ?Was it right? ? ? ? ? ? SUPER State your conclusion. YES!!!!!!

? ? ? ? ? ?Was it right? ? ? ? ? ? Restate your hypothesis and start again. NO!!!!!!

CONCLUSION A brief statement about the results of the experiment(s). Communicates what was found. States whether the hypothesis was correct or incorrect.

Theories and Laws Theory Thoroughly tested model that explains observations.

Theories and Laws Law A concise statement that describes a large number of situations is called a law. Does not answer WHY!