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The Scientific Method The Steps to Success. The Scientific Method  What is the scientific method?  It is a process that is used to find answers to questions.

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Presentation on theme: "The Scientific Method The Steps to Success. The Scientific Method  What is the scientific method?  It is a process that is used to find answers to questions."— Presentation transcript:

1 The Scientific Method The Steps to Success

2 The Scientific Method  What is the scientific method?  It is a process that is used to find answers to questions about the world around us.

3  Is there only one “scientific method”?  No, there are several versions of the scientific method.  Some versions have more steps, while others may have only a few.  However, they all begin with the identification of a problem or a question to be answered based on observations of the world around us.

4  They provide an organized method for conducting and analyzing an experiment.

5  What is a hypothesis?  It is an educated guess based on observations and your knowledge of the topic.  You state it as a possible answer to a question.

6  Stated in the “If….., then….” format  Example: IF I water three plants with different sodas, THEN the plant that receives Sprite will grow the tallest.

7  What is data?  It is information gathered during an experiment.  It is organized into a data table and displayed visually as a graph.

8 Graphs  BAR GRAPHS: can be used to show how something changes over time or to compare items.  have an x-axis (horizontal) and a y-axis (vertical)  the x-axis has time period or what is being measured  the y-axis has numbers for the amount of stuff being measured.  good when you're plotting data that spans many years (or days, weeks...), has really big changes from year to year (or day to day...), or when you are comparing things.

9  LINE GRAPHS: can be used to show how something changes over time  x-axis has numbers for the time period  y-axis has numbers for what is being measured.  can be used when you're plotting data that has peaks (ups) and valleys (downs), or that was collected in a short time period.  Used for two sets of numerical data (ex: time and temp)

10  1. Choose a problem: State the problem as a question.  2. Research your problem: Read, get advice, and make observations.  3. Develop a hypothesis: Make a prediction about what will happen.  4. Design an experiment: Plan how you will test your hypothesis. Steps of the Scientific Method

11  5. Test your hypothesis: Conduct the experiment and record the data.  6. Organize your data: Create a chart or graph of your data.  7. Draw conclusions: Analyze your data and summarize your findings.

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14 Identifying Variables Independent Variables Dependent Variables Controlled Variables (Constants)

15  Independent Variable – something that is changed by the scientist  What is tested  What is manipulated (changed) 3 Kinds of Variables

16  Dependent Variable – something that might be affected by the change in the independent variable  What is observed  What is measured  The data collected during the investigation  “the numbers”  Example: how tall the plant grew, how far the paper airplane flew

17 Example:

18  Controlled Variable – a variable that is not changed  Also called CONSTANTS  Allow for a “fair test”  Everything in the experiment except for the IV should be kept constant

19  Give a detailed explanation of how you will conduct the experiment to test your hypothesis  Be clear about the variables (elements you change) versus your constants (elements that do not change)  A control is the group that you use as a comparison to see if change has occurred.  Example: In a medicine study, the group of people who don’t get the medicine are the control group Procedure

20  Be very specific about how you will measure results to prove or disprove your hypothesis. You should include a regular timetable for measuring results or observing the projects (such as every hour, every day, every week)

21  Conclusion: your results or findings based on data collected during the experiment  Answer your problem/purpose statement  What does it all add up to? What is the value of your project?  What further study do you recommend given the results of your experiment? What would be the next question to ask?  If you repeat this project, what would you change? Conclusion

22 For Example: Students of different ages were given a jigsaw puzzle to put together. The scientist wanted to see if the students’ ages affected how long it took to put the puzzle together.

23  Independent Variable (IV):  Ages of the students  Different ages were tested by the scientist  Dependent Variable (DV):  The time it took to put the puzzle together  The time was observed and measured by the scientist Identify the Variables in this Experiment:

24  (1) Same puzzle  All of the participants were tested with the same puzzle.  It would not have been a fair test if some had an easy 30 piece puzzle and some had a harder 500 piece puzzle.  Other constants: (2) same location, (3) same stopwatch, (4) same person timing the experiment What were the constants?

25  An investigation was done with an electromagnetic system made from a battery and wire wrapped around a nail. Different sizes of nails were used. The number of paper clips the electromagnet could pick up was measured. Another Example:

26  IV: Sizes of nails  These were changed by the scientist  DV: Number of paper clips picked up  The number of paper clips observed and counted (measured)  Constants: Battery, wire, type of nail  None of these items were changed What are the Variables?

27 Let’s Practice!  If I use a heavier bowling ball, then the ball will travel faster down the lane.  IV: weight of bowling ball  DV: speed it traveled down lane

28  2) If I use different brands of paper towels, then Bounty will absorb more water per minute than Sparkle or Quilted.  IV: brand of paper towel  DV: amount of water absorbed per minute

29  3) If I put 3 spider plants in different locations, then the plant in the sunlight will grow taller in a one-week period than the plants in the closet and basement.  IV: location of the plants  DV: height of plants


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