Scientific Method

Identify the Problem Finding out what you want answered or what problem you want to solve Finding out what you want answered or what problem you want to solve Make sure the question is testable –eliminate questions that can not be measured Make sure the question is testable –eliminate questions that can not be measured Written in question form Written in question form Only one variable tested at a time Only one variable tested at a time Questions begin with what, why, how, when Questions begin with what, why, how, when ex/ How does acid rain effect plant growth? non ex/ What is Ms. Laudemann’s favorite ice cream?

Research the Problem Identify the question then start gathering and organizing information Identify the question then start gathering and organizing information Ways to research Ways to research What do you already know (past experience What do you already know (past experience Observations Observations Textbooks Textbooks Encyclopedias other reference books Encyclopedias other reference books Professional Journals Professional Journals Science Magazines Science Magazines Internet Internet Data Bases Data Bases Make sure sources of information are reliable who is the author last updated links or other sources that support information

Hypothesis/Prediction An expectation of what will be observed An expectation of what will be observed A forecast about what will happen A forecast about what will happen Based on prior knowledge and data that has been collected Based on prior knowledge and data that has been collected Make sure the hypothesis can be tested Make sure the hypothesis can be tested

How do you make accurate predictions? Make observations. Recall past experiences Make observations. Recall past experiences Use your knowledge to search for patterns in data. Make inferences Use your knowledge to search for patterns in data. Make inferences Make predictions about future events Make predictions about future events Test those predictions to determine validity Test those predictions to determine validity After testing, revise predictions if necessary After testing, revise predictions if necessary

Hypothesis Tentative explanation for an observation Tentative explanation for an observation Inference about why something might happen Inference about why something might happen Written in an If… Then…. Because… statement Written in an If… Then…. Because… statement The results of an experiment cannot prove that a hypothesis is correct, rather the results either support or not support (refute) the hypothesis The results of an experiment cannot prove that a hypothesis is correct, rather the results either support or not support (refute) the hypothesis

If….. Then…. Because… If (independent variable) what you changed on purpose If (independent variable) what you changed on purpose Then (dependent variable) what you will measure Then (dependent variable) what you will measure Because - Your inference (explanation) of why you think it will happen. Because - Your inference (explanation) of why you think it will happen.

Example Independent Variable – length of paper thing blades Independent Variable – length of paper thing blades Dependent Variable – rotational speed Dependent Variable – rotational speed

Design the Experiment Identify the Variables Identify the Variables Independent Independent Dependent Dependent Controls Controls Set up the Control and Experimental Group Set up the Control and Experimental Group Write a Procedure Write a Procedure Short easy steps Short easy steps Start with action word Start with action word No pronouns (I, you, we, us, etc…) No pronouns (I, you, we, us, etc…) Materials list Materials list Operational Definition – how you will measure Operational Definition – how you will measure

Perform the Experiment Make the test Fair Make the test Fair Accurate/ Precise Accurate/ Precise Observations Observations Quantitative Quantitative Qualitative Qualitative Operational Definition Operational Definition Record any problems/issues Record any problems/issues Metric Measurements Metric Measurements Create Data Table Create Data Table

Analyze the Data Data Tables Data Tables Organize and record measurements Organize and record measurements Title Title Columns and rows Columns and rows Labels Labels Graphs Graphs Convert data sets into pictures, which are often easier to understand and analyze for patterns Convert data sets into pictures, which are often easier to understand and analyze for patterns Line Graph Line Graph Change over time Change over time Circle Graph Circle Graph Percentage of whole Percentage of whole Bar Graph Bar Graph Compare and contrast data Compare and contrast data

Analyze the Data Look for Patterns in the Data Look for Patterns in the Data Compare and Contrast Compare and Contrast Look for similarities and differences Look for similarities and differences Cause and Effect Relationships Cause and Effect Relationships Do you need more information (research0 Do you need more information (research0 Look for outliers or problems Look for outliers or problems

Draw Conclusion Was hypothesis supported or refuted? Was hypothesis supported or refuted? What is the evidence to support or refute? What is the evidence to support or refute? Is there any science background information to help support or refute your answer? Is there any science background information to help support or refute your answer? Where there any problems or issues with your experiment that need to be solved Where there any problems or issues with your experiment that need to be solved What other experiments could help you gather more information? What other experiments could help you gather more information? Why, How, When, Where, - be able to explain. Why, How, When, Where, - be able to explain.

Conclusions Three Paragraph Format Three Paragraph Format 1 st paragraph 1 st paragraph Your results, hypothesis supported or refuted what is the evidence? Your results, hypothesis supported or refuted what is the evidence? 2 nd paragraph 2 nd paragraph Problems/issues Problems/issues Things to watch out for in this experiment Things to watch out for in this experiment What did you control What did you control 3 rd paragraph 3 rd paragraph What other experiments or future research could help you learn more? What other experiments or future research could help you learn more?

Communicate Results Lab Report Lab Report Title Title Abstract Abstract Hypothesis Hypothesis Materials List Materials List Procedure Procedure Observations Observations Data Tables Data Tables Graphs Graphs 3 Paragraph Conclusion 3 Paragraph Conclusion