The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method- The steps taken in a specific order to get an answer to a posed problem.

Steps of the Scientific Method 1.Problem 2.Hypothesis 3.Experiment 4.Results 5.Conclusion

Step 1: Identify the Problem Using observations, identify a problem you would like to solve. o Observations are done with your five senses to gather information. o Ask questions that lead to a problem.

Step 1: Identify the Problem Two types of observations: –Quantitative observations—deal with numbers Ex. 100 degrees outside –Qualitative observations—deal with a description Ex. Its hot outside.

Step 2: Develop a Hypothesis A hypothesis is a possible answer to a scientific question. o Not a fact (prediction) o Based on observations and knowledge o Must be testable

Step 2: Develop a Hypothesis Write your hypothesis using your variables (what is changing) Hypothesis Format: –“If (what is changing on purpose) then (what is changing due to what you already changed) because… “If ______________________then ____________ ________________ because…

Step 2: Develop a Hypothesis Example: Question: How does the amount of salt affect the temperature where water boils? Hypothesis: If there is more/less (circle one) salt then water will boil at a higher/lower (circle one) temperature because _____________________________. A scientist wants to know if water boils at a higher temperature when salt is added. Here is their experiment: One Quart of Boiling Water with NO SALT One Quart of Boiling Water with TWO TABLESPOONS OF SALT One Quart of Boiling Water with FOUR TABLESPOONS OF SALT

Step 2: Develop a Hypothesis Example: Maria is from planet DontKnowALot. She is doing an experiment. She has three people in her experiment. Maria will measure the amount of weight that each person gains after a month. Question: How does the type of liquid affect how much weight a person gains? Hypothesis: If _________________________________________, then _______________________________________________ because _____________________________________________. Person 1 will drink only water. Person 2 will drink only juice. Person 3 will drink only Coca Cola.

Independent Practice: Complete Figure 2 on developing a hypothesis.

The Scientific Method

Step 3: Test the Hypothesis Materials: A list of all the things you need Procedure Step by step instructions Identifies the variables used in the experiment Testing the hypothesis is simply conducting the experiment (materials and procedure.

Step 3: Test the Hypothesis Variables - factors that can change in an experiment, must be the same. Variables Video

Step 3: Test the Hypothesis Independent Variable - the one variable that is purposely changed to test a hypothesis

Step 3: Test the Hypothesis Dependent Variable-the factor that may change in response to the independent variable

Step 3: Test the Hypothesis Controlled Experiment-an experiment in which only one variable is changed at a time

Guided Practice: Which people in the experiment are in the control group?

Guided Practice: What are the independent and dependent variables? Explain.

Guided Practice: What should Mr. Krabb’s conclusion be? Why is Group B reporting feeling better?

Independent Practice: Complete worksheet on conducting an experiment.

The Scientific Method

Step 4: Results Collecting data is writing down the results of the experiment. Data should be recorded in a table.

Step 4: Results Data- are the facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through qualitative and quantitative observations.

Step 4: Parts of a Graph

Guided Practice: With your partner, use the data below to create a graph. Height of the Plant by Day with Fertilizer DayHeight (cm)

Guided Practice: Graphing

The Scientific Method

Step 5: Conclusion A conclusion is a summary of what you have learned from an experiment. Ask yourself: Does my data support my hypothesis?

Step 5: Conclusion Communicating is the sharing of ideas and results with others through speaking and writing. Before an experiment is published other scientists must test it for accuracy.

Step 5: Conclusion Scientific theory- a well-tested and widely accepted explanation of observations and experimental results.

Step 5: Conclusion Scientific law-describe observed patterns in nature without trying to explain those patterns.