1. Steps of answering a scientific question (Experimental Design, Scientific Investigation)

2. Steps of answering a scientific question
1. Pose a Testable Question
2. Form a Hypothesis
3. Design an Experiment
Materials
Procedures
Collect Data
4. Analyze Data
5. Draw a Conclusion
6. Communicate your results

3. Observation vs. Inference
A visual or provable fact
Inference
An opinion or conclusion based on observed facts

4. 1. Pose a Testable Question
Careful observations lead to questions that arise
All scientific investigations begin with a question
Experiments can only ask testable questions
NOT a testable question:
How does a pendulum work?
A testable question:
Does the time it takes a pendulum to swing back and forth depend on the length of the pendulum cord?

5. 2. Form a hypothesis An idea that can be tested by an experiment.
All experiments should have a hypothesis
An “if, then, because “statement
What you think the results will show

6. 3. Design an Experiment A planned way to test a hypothesis
A way to collect data
Writing out procedures and collecting materials
Identifies the independent, dependent and control variables

7. 4. Analyze Data Presents the findings of the experiment
What data shows
States if the hypothesis was correct (supported) or incorrect (negated)
General observations are recorded as well as measurements
Graphing is used to express analysis

8. 5. Draw a conclusion
Conclusions are explanations that are based on evidence from observations
Does my observation support my hypothesis?
If your results do not support your hypothesis, you would have to rethink.

9. 6. Communicate your results
Communicate your questions, ideas, and results with others
Allows others to evaluate and understand your experiment
Gives you a chance to see if any mistakes were made in experimental design, calculations, or analysis
Sharing results may also give you new ideas of other topics to investigate