1. The Scientific Method: How to solve just about anything
Lesson 1
January 19th, 2010

2. Scientific Method Problem solving in a particular way
Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions
Problem solving in a particular way
Follows a particular pattern of steps:

3. State what it is you are trying to figure out in the form of a question. (identify the problem) (purpose)
Research what others have already discovered about this. Gather information that will help you form a good hypothesis and design a good experiment.
Make an EDUCATED guess to answer the question (problem). This must be based on your research and must be testable.
Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions

4. Design and carry out an experiment that will determine if your hypothesis is valid or not. You must be certain to consider all possible variables and control them properly. It should be repeated at least twice.
Organize the data collected in the experiment and perform calculations Charts, graphs, averages, parentages, etc. What were the possible sources of error?
Answer your question with the data you collected. Was your hypothesis supported or not? What would you do differently? What other experiments could be done?
Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions

5. Scientific method What are you trying to figure out?
Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions
Question
What are you trying to figure out?
Also called “Purpose” or “Identify the problem”
Stated in the form of a question

6. Scientific method
Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions
Research
Gather information about the problem that will help you make a good hypothesis statement and design a good experiment
Stay focused on your question

7. Form a Hypothesis An educated guess A prediction that can be tested
Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions
An educated guess
A prediction that can be tested
A single experiment can never prove that something is always true, but it can prove that it is not always true.
Based on Research
You should always be able to give reasons why you chose your hypothesis

8. Variables Different Factors can change in a experiment
Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions
Variables
Different Factors can change in a experiment
It is very important that you only allow ONE variable to change when conducting an experiment.
Why?

9. 1. Independent Variable The thing you are testing
Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions
1. Independent Variable
The thing you are testing
The one and only variable you will allow to change

10. 2. Control What you can compare your results to
Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions
2. Control
What you can compare your results to
Usually just the absence of the independent variable

11. Constants The variables you do not allow to change
Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions
Constants
The variables you do not allow to change
What you keep the same in each test

12. Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions
3. Dependent Variable
What you measure to compare the results of your test
Should be able to be charted or graphed

13. Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions
Materials
Detailed list of everything you need to conduct the experiment
Should include amounts

14. Procedures Step by step instructions for how to conduct the experiment
Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions
Procedures
Step by step instructions for how to conduct the experiment
Should be detailed enough that someone else could follow them and do exactly what you did.
The experiment should be repeated at least twice for valid results

15. Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions
Recording Data
Very careful record keeping is important for valid results
Use charts or tables to organize data
Run trial tests before the experiment to work out the bugs
Record measurements as well as observations and things that you want to remember about what happened.

16. Analyze the results What are your results?
Question
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclusions
Analyze the results
What are your results?
Create tables, charts and graphs to represent all of your data
Perform any calculations that will help you determine what your results mean
EX, average, mean, std dev
What are possible sources of error?
Things that could make your results wrong.
Inaccurate measurement, contamination

17. Draw Conclusions What is the answer to your question based on results?
Research
Form Hypothesis
Experiment
Analyze the Results
Draw Conclustions
Draw Conclusions
What is the answer to your question based on results?
Was your hypothesis supported
Why or why not?
If you did this experiment again would you do it differently?
What other experiments could you do to further test this?

18. Scientific Law
A scientific law is a statement about how things work in nature that seams to be true all the time.
They are less likely to change than theories
Laws tell you what will happen under certain conditions but do not necessarily explain why it happened.

19. How can we use this method when we read?
Look at the article
Junk Food Junkies
Answer the Questions and hand in