Scientific Method

Scientific Method: Ask a question (or a problem) : What is it you want to find out?

Scientific Method: Form a Hypothesis (educated guess) -What you expect to happen It’s a prediction -What you think will happen “If...then” format -Cause and Effect Relationship

CauseEffect If ____________ then_________. + verb

Scientific Method: Gather materials. Experiment - test the hypothesis. Carry out and experiment using a procedure (step by step)

Variable: -Thing that is being changed in an experiment. -The opposite of a variable is called a Constant.

#1. Independent variable (or IV or manipulated variable or the cause): The part of the experiment that is changed on purpose. In a good experiment, only 1 thing is changed on purpose at a time.

#2. Dependent variable (or DV or responding variable or effect): The part of the experiment that is affected by the IV. It is the results of the experiment.

Scientific Method: Make observations: Organize your information into some type of table and/or graph.

Scientific Method: Analyze the results The outcomes of the experiment presented in graphs or tables

Scientific Method: Draw Conclusions - Answer the question/ problem you started with. Communicate Results Written or oral information used to inform others about your findings

CER Conclusion Claim: Answer the question you began with. ONLY the answer, not why or how. Evidence: What data from lab helps prove your claim? Reasoning: What is the scientific explanation for your claim and evidence? Why were your results what they were?