1. Scientific Method A way to understand CAUSE AND EFFECT in the natural world

2. Scientific Method Step 1: OBSERVE Step 2: ASK A QUESTION Step 4: MAKE A HYPOTHESIS Step 3: RESEARCH Step 5: TEST HYPOTHESIS Step 6: CONCLUSION

3. Scientific Method: Step 1 - Observation Based on your 5 SENSES  Seeing  Hearing  Smelling  Touching  Tasting

6. Scientific Method: Step 2 -Ask a Question Question must be ‘testable’ using a simple, direct experiment

7. Scientific Method: Step 3 – Research Look up everything that is already known. Read papers published in journals/books /scientific literature

8. Scientific Method: Step 4 : Hypothesis = Educated Guess 1.If dependent variable - is related to independent variable, 2.Then - predict how dependent variable will respond 3.When - independent variable is changed by you ‘If-then-when statement’

9. Scientific Method: Step 4 : Hypothesis = Educated Guess Background: Red Bull ads claim to increase concentration Ques: Can Drinking Red Bull before a test improve performance ? Identify variables (anything that changes) Number of red bull drinks and performance on test Independent variable and dependent variable

10. Scientific Method: Step 4 : Hypothesis = Educated Guess -If performance on test is related to consumption of red bull energy drink, -Then average test score of students in AP Biology class will increase -When red bull drink is consumed 15 minutes before the test - ‘If-then-when hypothesis statement’ 1. If dependent variable - is related to independent variable, 2. Then - predict how dependent variable will respond 3. When - independent variable is changed by you

11. Scientific Method: Step 5a– Planning the Experiment Experimental Design : A. Variables (3 types) B. Control Group/Setup C. Experimental Group/Setup

12. Scientific Method: Step 5a – Planning the Experiment Experimental Design : A.Variables – anything that can change in an experiment - Independent Variable: anything that you change/manipulate in an experiment (number of red bull drinks) - Dependent Variable: anything that you measure as the ‘response’ to the change you made (average test score) - Controlled Variables: anything that you would keep the same in all experimental setups - such as time when drink was consumed, other types of stimulants the student has, test environment….

13. Scientific Method: Step 5a – Planning the Experiment Control group/setup: does not have the independent variable Experimental setup: has the independent variable Group with red bull Group without red bull

14. Scientific Method: Step 5b –Data Collection + Analysis TABLES GRAPHS

15. Scientific Method: Step 6 – Conclusion Did your results support hypothesis?  why or why not?  interpretation of your data  did you run many trials?  what was your sample size?  sources of errors  changes you would make