1. Not just for scientists!
The Scientific Method
Not just for scientists!
Adapted from

2. What is it?
The scientific method is a logical sequence of steps that people use to identify, test, and answer a problem.
It is broken down into six steps:
State the problem.
Form a testable hypothesis.
Design an experiment.
Collect and analyze data.
Draw conclusions.
Communicate results.
Have students fill in notes in each appropriate box on the SM Cheat Sheet

3. State the Problem… State the problem:
Choose a question or problem to solve.
Make sure it’s realistic and that you can gather the necessary resources.
When possible, choose a topic that really interests you.
Your question must include both a manipulated (independent) variable and responding (dependent) variable.
Safety first!
Make it new and interesting to YOU!
Tip 1-Investigating the effect of lemon juice on the growth of bread mold is a lot more realistic than trying to conduct an experiment on the effectiveness of a certain type of tile on the space shuttle's outer hull.
It would be easy for you to find the materials needed to see how lemon juice affects bread mold. You could probably get the materials needed to conduct such an experiment from home - you would just need some lemon juice and bread. You probably wouldn't be able to conduct hands-on tests with the space shuttle because you don't have one easily accessible.
Tip 3 - A manipulated (or independent) variable (or MV for short) is something that you intentionally change in your experiment.
A responding (or dependent) variable (or RV for short) is something that changes as a result of what you intentionally changed.
Tip 4 - You may not investigate a question that would involve putting yourself, someone else, or an animal in any danger. Be sure to think your question through by asking yourself what materials or actions would be involved in completing the experiment. If your experiment would require dangerous chemicals, tools, apparatus, or procedures, you should think of another question.
Tip 5 - Pick a question that does not have a commonly found answer. In other words, the question should not be something that you could look up in an encyclopedia or on the Internet to find the answer. It needs to be something that you must investigate through experimentation to find the answer. Your question should not be answered with a simple "yes" or "no."

4. Vocabulary… Independent/Manipulated variable
This is the thing that you will change or manipulate, the thing you are testing.
There is only one independent variable in an experiment.
*Example: The amount of water given to a plant.
Dependent/Responding variable
This is the thing you measure or observe, the results of the experiment.
You expect the dependent variable to be affected by the independent variable.
*Example: The measured daily growth of the plant.
Control variable
Any variable that you keep the same in order to allow for a fair test.
*Example: They both get the same sunlight, same type of container, and same type of soil for both plants.

5. Taking a closer look… Form a testable hypothesis: “I predict that…”
Include a statement that shows cause and effect.
(If, then, because.)
It must address the manipulated and responding variables.
Right or wrong does not matter!
Hypothesis: A prediction that can be tested
*Example: “I predict that if…(MV)…then…(RV)…because…”
Tip 2 - An "If...then..." statement is one that shows a cause and an effect relationship. For example, "If a plant is given acidic liquids, then the plant's growth will decrease." In this hypothesis, there is a cause (acidic liquid) that produces an effect (decrease in plant growth).
Tip 3 - The cause and effect in your hypothesis are related to the manipulated and responding variables in your question. For example, look at this question: "How does the type of music affect a plant's growth?" The type of music can be changed intentionally, so it is the manipulated variable. The plant's growth may change as a result of the type of music, so it is the responding variable. Your hypothesis must include an MV and RV: "I think that if a plant is exposed to classical music (MV), then it will grow very fast (RV)."
Tip 4 - At the end of the experiment you will find out whether your hypothesis was right or not. As a scientist, you should understand that it is not important that you "got it right." It is more important that you learned something about your topic. Don't get hung up on having the right answer.

6. Let’s try it! How many drops of water can fit on a coin?

7. Taking a closer look… Designing an experiment:
Carefully decide what your constants will be.
Decide what materials you will need.
Decide how you will measure your constants and your variables.
List all procedures in order.
Tip 1 - Before you do any designing, you must decide what variables will need to be controlled or kept the same in your experiment. Remember that you can change only one variable intentionally - the manipulated variable. Everything else must remain the same in your experiment or your results will be not be valid.
Tip 2 - Once materials are listed, ask yourself how you will measure (or operationally define) your materials and results. If you are measuring length, use millimeters, centimeters, or meters. If you are measuring weight, use milligrams, grams, or kilograms. To measure volume, you must use milliliters or liters. Temperature must be measured in degrees Celsius. All measurements must be Metric.
Tip 3 - Before you begin experimenting, you must ask yourself how you will operationally define your variables. In other words, how will you measure them so that they can be put into number or quantitative terms?
If you are measuring growth of a plant, then how will you define "growth?" Is it the height of the plant (measured in millimeters or centimeters)? Is it the weight of the plant (grams)? In your experiment, does growth refer to the size of the leaves? Whatever you want growth to be in your experiment must be clearly defined ahead of time. Write down all measurements you will use to define each variable operationally.
Tip 4 - Once you decide which variables need to be controlled, what materials you will need, and how you will operationally define your variables, you must list all the procedures you need to complete in order to conduct the experiment.
Starting from the very beginning, list all of your procedures in order. Include many details. Include how you will control variables. Write down how you will measure your results.
Your finished procedures should be detailed so that anyone who wants to duplicate your experiment can do so simply by following your list.

8. Looking at vocabulary…
Theory: A well tested explanation of something that can be tested.
Law: A rule describing a consistent pattern in nature. It happens every time, all the time.
Control: The standard to which your experiment is compared. It stays the same.
Tip 1 - Before you do any designing, you must decide what variables will need to be controlled or kept the same in your experiment. Remember that you can change only one variable intentionally - the manipulated variable. Everything else must remain the same in your experiment or your results will be not be valid.
Tip 2 - Once materials are listed, ask yourself how you will measure (or operationally define) your materials and results. If you are measuring length, use millimeters, centimeters, or meters. If you are measuring weight, use milligrams, grams, or kilograms. To measure volume, you must use milliliters or liters. Temperature must be measured in degrees Celsius. All measurements must be Metric.
Tip 3 - Before you begin experimenting, you must ask yourself how you will operationally define your variables. In other words, how will you measure them so that they can be put into number or quantitative terms?
If you are measuring growth of a plant, then how will you define "growth?" Is it the height of the plant (measured in millimeters or centimeters)? Is it the weight of the plant (grams)? In your experiment, does growth refer to the size of the leaves? Whatever you want growth to be in your experiment must be clearly defined ahead of time. Write down all measurements you will use to define each variable operationally.
Tip 4 - Once you decide which variables need to be controlled, what materials you will need, and how you will operationally define your variables, you must list all the procedures you need to complete in order to conduct the experiment.
Starting from the very beginning, list all of your procedures in order. Include many details. Include how you will control variables. Write down how you will measure your results.
Your finished procedures should be detailed so that anyone who wants to duplicate your experiment can do so simply by following your list.

9. Taking a closer look… Collect and analyze data:
Always keep constants and your manipulated variable in mind and follow your procedures.
Organize your raw data in a table.
Use your data table to create a graph for your conclusion. (More to come!)
Tip 1 - Don't forget that the only variable that you are changing in your experiment is the manipulated variable. Everything else must remain exactly the same.
Tip 2 - Raw data is the first information you get as you make observations during your experiment. For example, if you were charting plant growth, you might find that on the sixth day of the experiment, the plant has grown to a height of 1 cm. On the next day, it is 1.5 cm. Then the following day the plant is 1.7 cm. All of this information is raw data. It needs to be kept in your log book. Tip 4 - Once you decide which variables need to be controlled, what materials you will need, and how you will operationally define your variables, you must list all the procedures you need to complete in order to conduct the experiment.
Starting from the very beginning, list all of your procedures in order. Include many details. Include how you will control variables. Write down how you will measure your results.
Your finished procedures should be detailed so that anyone who wants to duplicate your experiment can do so simply by following your list.

10. Looking at vocabulary…
SIU (System of International Units)-Metric System: A standard system of measurement using meters, liters, grams, and Celsius for communicating data and results.
Meter (m): The basic unit of length in the SIU system.
Liter (l): The basic unit of volume in the SIU system.
Gram (g): The basic unit of mass in the SIU system.
Volume: The amount of space an object takes up.
Mass: A measure of the amount of matter an object contains. **It is NOT the same as weight which is a measure of the force of gravity acting on an object.
Tip 1 - Before you do any designing, you must decide what variables will need to be controlled or kept the same in your experiment. Remember that you can change only one variable intentionally - the manipulated variable. Everything else must remain the same in your experiment or your results will be not be valid.
Tip 2 - Once materials are listed, ask yourself how you will measure (or operationally define) your materials and results. If you are measuring length, use millimeters, centimeters, or meters. If you are measuring weight, use milligrams, grams, or kilograms. To measure volume, you must use milliliters or liters. Temperature must be measured in degrees Celsius. All measurements must be Metric.
Tip 3 - Before you begin experimenting, you must ask yourself how you will operationally define your variables. In other words, how will you measure them so that they can be put into number or quantitative terms?
If you are measuring growth of a plant, then how will you define "growth?" Is it the height of the plant (measured in millimeters or centimeters)? Is it the weight of the plant (grams)? In your experiment, does growth refer to the size of the leaves? Whatever you want growth to be in your experiment must be clearly defined ahead of time. Write down all measurements you will use to define each variable operationally.
Tip 4 - Once you decide which variables need to be controlled, what materials you will need, and how you will operationally define your variables, you must list all the procedures you need to complete in order to conduct the experiment.
Starting from the very beginning, list all of your procedures in order. Include many details. Include how you will control variables. Write down how you will measure your results.
Your finished procedures should be detailed so that anyone who wants to duplicate your experiment can do so simply by following your list.

11. Taking a closer look… Draw conclusions:
MV on the x axis and the RV on the y axis.
Use a pattern of numbers for each axis.
Include units (m, l, g) and a title.
Plot your data.
Think TAILS…
Title, Axis, Interval, Labels, Scale
Responding variable
Manipulated variable
Tip 1 - Don't forget that the only variable that you are changing in your experiment is the manipulated variable. Everything else must remain exactly the same.
Tip 2 - Raw data is the first information you get as you make observations during your experiment. For example, if you were charting plant growth, you might find that on the sixth day of the experiment, the plant has grown to a height of 1 cm. On the next day, it is 1.5 cm. Then the following day the plant is 1.7 cm. All of this information is raw data. It needs to be kept in your log book. Tip 4 - Once you decide which variables need to be controlled, what materials you will need, and how you will operationally define your variables, you must list all the procedures you need to complete in order to conduct the experiment.
Starting from the very beginning, list all of your procedures in order. Include many details. Include how you will control variables. Write down how you will measure your results.
Your finished procedures should be detailed so that anyone who wants to duplicate your experiment can do so simply by following your list.

12. Taking a closer look… Communicate results:
Restate your problem and hypothesis.
Summarize your procedures.
Explain how the MV affected the RV. (What does the graph show?)
Explain whether or not the results supported your hypothesis. If not, why?
Future experiments.

13. Communicate Results How?
Journals
Class reports
News reports
Magazines
Dr. reports
What are other ways?