1. THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD & EXPERIMENT DESIGN
Unit: _Exp. Design____
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD & EXPERIMENT DESIGN
What are some key elements of sci. method that come to mind? 1

2. The process by which we study the world around us.
The Scientific Method
The process by which we study the world around us.
“organized common sense” 2

3. Consists of several parts:
The Scientific Method
Consists of several parts:
-Observe
-Hypothesize
-Experiment
-Conclude 3

4. Used to identify a problem.
Observe
Used to identify a problem. 4

5. educated prediction about relationship between variables
Hypothesis
educated prediction about relationship between variables
testable explanation of observations
“If… then…” statement 5

6. method used to test hypothesis
Experiment
method used to test hypothesis
must be controlled (as best as possible)
collect qualitative or quantitative data 6

7. Answer the problem or ask a new question.
Conclude
Answer the problem or ask a new question.
Develop a theory (if enough experimentation has been completed) 7

8. Different types of Theories
Theory
Different types of Theories
- Scientific
- Common Theory 8

9. Scientific Theory vs. Common Theory
-Supported by evidence
Examples:
-Atomic Theory
-Evolution
Common Theory
-Based on hunches and guesses.
-aka “Hypothesis” 9

10. THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD & EXPERIMENT DESIGN
Unit: _Exp. Design____
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD & EXPERIMENT DESIGN
What are some key elements of sci. method that come to mind?
1010

11. Warm-Up 7/29/2014
Which of the following steps in the scientific method was represented by the “Easter Bunny”?

12. Parts of a VALID experiment
- Question
- Hypothesis
- Independent Variable
- Dependent Variable
- Control
- Constants
- Repeated Trials 12

13. Vocabulary Terms
Variable
Factors that change in an experiment. 13

14. Vocabulary Terms Independent Variable Dependent Variable
- The variable that the experimenter purposefully changes/manipulates.
Dependent Variable
- The variable that changes as a result of the Independent Variable. (DV gets measured.) 14

15. Control Constant Vocabulary Terms
-The normal situation (Ind. Var.) left unchanged. Used to compare effects of the IV when changed.
Constant
-Every other factor in the exp. that is not a variable. 15

16. Repeated Trials Vocabulary Terms
-The number of times the experiment is repeated.
-The more the better. 16

17. Problem: The effect of the IV on the DV.
Experimental Design
Problem: The effect of the IV on the DV.
-The effect of medicine dosage on blood pressure.
Hypothesis: If…then…statement.
-If medicine dosage is related to blood pressure and medicine dosage is changed, then blood pressure will change. 17

18. Experimental Design
IV=
-dosage.
DV=
-blood pressure. 18

19. Control: Constants: Experimental Design -placebo, no medicine given.
-type of medicine
-gender, age
-diet
-what else? 19

20. Done after the experiment is complete:
Experimental Design
Done after the experiment is complete:
-Analyze/Infer- What did the data show? What was learned? What other questions came about? 20