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Published byClyde Morton Modified over 9 years ago
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Scientific Method A way to understand CAUSE AND EFFECT in the natural world
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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
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Scientific Method: Step 1 - Observation Based on your 5 SENSES Seeing Hearing Smelling Touching Tasting
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Scientific Method: Step 2 -Ask a Question Question must be ‘testable’ using a simple, direct experiment
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Scientific Method: Step 3 – Research Look up everything that is already known. Read papers published in journals/books /scientific literature
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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’
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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
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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
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Scientific Method: Step 5a– Planning the Experiment Experimental Design : A. Variables (3 types) B. Control Group/Setup C. Experimental Group/Setup
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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….
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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
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Scientific Method: Step 5b –Data Collection + Analysis TABLES GRAPHS
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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
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