Experimental Design using Scientific Method : Scientific Method When scientists begin an experiment they use the steps of the Scientific Method. You will be asked to understand many of these steps on the STAAR Test next year.

Scientific Method – a logical step by step way of solving problems

Problem: Will the amount of water given effect plant growth? Problem The Problem (in the form of a question) that the scientists will try to answer, must be logical and based on data or observations.

Problem - what you want to learn or understand

Hypothesis: Less than 500ml per week will slow growth of ivy plants. Hypothesis testable A prediction called a Hypothesis is next. It must be a testable statement that you could gather data to prove. (You can’t measure which is the “prettiest”, “strongest”, or “best”.)

Hypothesis – an educated guess to explain what you observe or what might happen Testable – can be proven true or false with data

control variable You must control an experiment. You can test only one variable at a time. (How does the amount of water effect plant growth? Keep the light, containers, soil and plants the same.) Controls: Light, type of plant, amount of soil, pot, temperature.

Control –what you do not change in an experiment Variable – what changes in an experiment

Control Group A Control Group is the set-up that isn’t changed. (One plant gets the normal amount of water!). Which group above is the control group? 500ml 400ml 300ml

independent variable dependent variable The independent variable is the thing you change (amount of water). The dependent variable is the result of the change you made (height of plant in cm.). Independent variable: Amount of water given in ml. Dependent variable: Plant growth in cm.

Independent variable – what I change in an experiment on purpose Dependent variable – what changes because of changing the independent variable – what changes because of changing the independent variable

Independent Variable Dependent variable When reporting the results, the Independent Variable is graphed on the X-axis. The Dependent variable is on the Y-axis. Dependent DRY MIX = Dependent Responding Variable on Y-axis Independent Manipulated Independent Variable on X-axis Amount of Water Growth in mm

Conclusion valid large sample size repeated many times randomly The Conclusion must be supported by the data & results you gather. To be valid, each experiment needs a large sample size(grow 2000 plants in each experiment) and must be repeated many times in order to prove the Hypothesis (grow 2000 plants 100 times). If you are collecting samples, in an experiment, do it randomly. Don’t take them all from one place. Yes!No!

Conclusion – what you have learned (hypo true?) valid - true, trusted, reliable

Check for understanding Check for understanding by answering the following questions. Remember that you are using the scientific method (scientific reasoning and investigating skills).

Which of these is a hypothesis that can be tested through experimentation? F Bacterial growth increases as temperature increases. G A fish’s ability to taste food is affected by The pH of aquarium water. H Tadpoles’ fear of large insects increases as the tadpoles age. J The number of times a dog wags its tail indicates how happy the dog is.

The correct answer is F The correct answer is F. Bacterial growth can be measured. Dog happiness, fish taste, and tadpole fear cannot be measured scientifically.

best reasonable The table shows times required for water to evaporate from identical containers. Which of these is the best question to ask before developing a reasonable hypothesis to explain the data? A Does a lower temperature slow the rate of evaporation? B What is the boiling point of the water after both samples are heated? C Why does water exist as a solid at -15°C and as a liquid at 25°C? D How does the rate of evaporation change when a different container is used?

The correct answer is A. The correct answer is A. The table shows data taken to investigate temperature and the evaporation of water.