1. The Scientific Method
A universal approach to scientific problem solving through a series of well-defined steps

3. PROBLEM 1- Defining the Problem -Stated in the form of a question that
defines a specific problem for
investigation
Ex- Do plants need water to grow?
Does sugar make kids hyperactive?
Does a full moon cause an increase in abnormal behavior?

4. RESEARCH 2- Research the Problem - Library, internet, periodicals,
textbooks, encyclopedias, newspaper,
scientists, teachers, TV

5. HYPOTHESIS 3- Develop a Hypothesis (educated guess)
- A possible explanation for an observed
set of facts
- Reasoning, guesswork, and inspiration
Ex- Plants need water to grow
Sugar makes kids hyperactive
Abnormal behavior does not increase during a full moon

6. PROCEDURE 4- Procedure (Design an experiment to test the hypothesis)
- list of materials
- detailed and easy to follow step by step
set of instructions for carrying out
experiment

7. PROCEDURE Variable- A factor that changes in an experiment
Independent variable- factor which is changed as part of the procedure (what is being tested) Ex- watering plants
Dependent variable- factor that changes as a result of the procedure (changes because IV changes) Ex- plant growth

8. PROCEDURE
Constant- Factors that are not changed (Ex- plants, soil, sunlight, location)
Control- No factors are changed, a
reference setup, standard for comparison
Sample Size- adequate, observable subjects (not too few, not too many)

9. TEST 5- Test the Hypothesis
- experiment and results must be repeatable to be valid
Ex- Plants that are not watered do not
grow

10. DATA 6- Record and Organize Data
Observations – What happened during experiment
Qualitative Observations- descriptions based on observer’s senses (Ex- Watered plants are taller)
Quantitative Observations- accurate measurements and numerical results obtained using tools and instruments (Ex- The watered plants grew 3 inches more than those that were not watered)

11. DATA Record Data- Charts, graphs, Tables, Diagrams, Photographs
Analyze Data- Look for patterns or
relationships
Inference- Deductions based on prior
experience

12. CONCLUSIONS 7- Interpret results and draw conclusions
Does data support, modify or disprove hypothesis?
The conclusion is the answer to the original problem and should prove or disprove the hypothesis
Ex- Plants need water to grow

13. Observation vs Inference
Observation: The grass on the school lawn is wet
What are some inferences that we could make?

14. Possible Inferences It rained The sprinkler was on
There was dew on the grass
Someone had a water balloon fight
A dog urinated on the lawn

15. Observation vs Inference

16. Observation/Inference
Observation: Lisa got a 100% on a biology test!
Inference: ?
She is very smart!
She will hang it on the refrigerator!
She is good in science!
She will get a good progress report!
She studied a lot!

17. How good of an observer are you?

18. REPORT
All aspects of an experiment must be recorded accurately and reported in detail so that it can be repeated by other investigators
Published in scientific journals

19. THEORIES
Explanations that apply to a broad range of phenomena and are supported by experimental evidence, attempts to explain the cause of the phenomena
Ex- The Theory of Evolution

20. SCIENTIFIC LAW
Describe an aspect of a phenomena that is always true, a particular event or relationship always exists under certain conditions
Does not explain how or why
Ex- Law of Gravity

21. Frans de Waal: Moral behavior in animals

22. Richard Turere: My invention that made peace with lions

23. Will mice who receive Coke run faster on the wheel?
PRACTICE
Question:
Will mice who receive Coke run faster on the wheel?

24. Experimental Group of Mice
Control Group of Mice
Experimental Group of Mice
100 mice
100 mice
Constants:
Same type of mice
Same size of cage
Same gender
Same food
Same temperature
Same time of day

25. Coke IF ______________THEN _____________ Independent Variable
Control Group of Mice
Experimental Group of Mice
100 mice
100 mice
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Coke
IF ______________THEN _____________
Faster running

26. that seeds would start to grow faster
Stephen thought
that seeds would start to grow faster
if an electric current traveled through the soil in which they were planted.
Question
Hypothesis
Experiment
Results
Conclusion

27. Rene grew bacteria from the mouth on special plates in the laboratory.
She placed drops of different mouthwashes on bacteria on each plate.
Question
Hypothesis
Experiment
Results
Conclusion

28. Jonathan’s data showed that household cockroaches moved away from raw cucumber slices.
Question
Hypothesis
Experiment
Results
Conclusion

29. Kevin said, “If I grow five seedlings in red light, I think the plants will grow faster than the five plants grown in white light.”
Question
Hypothesis
Experiment
Results
Conclusion

30. Kevin said, “If I grow five seedlings in red light, I think the plants will grow faster than the five plants grown in white light.”
Question
Hypothesis
Experiment
Results
Conclusion

31. Practice experiments
Do plants grow better with fertilizer?

32. Control Group=
Does not get the variable.
Experimental Group= Receives the variable
Constants= The factors that must remain constant between the two groups.

33. Ms. Romer
YOU CAN ONLY CHANGE ONE FACTOR.
Fertilizer
Ms. Romer

34. Which factors should remain constant?
Sunlight
Water
Type of plant
Age of plant
Size of plant
Throw out your work and start over!
What if you don’t keep these the same?

35. Hypothesis: I think fertilizer will help bean plants grow taller.
Ms. Romer
Hypothesis: I think fertilizer will help bean plants grow taller.
Procedure:
You take a bean plant and give it 4 scoops of fertilizer per day.
You watch it grow for 3 weeks.
No Control Group
Ms. Romer

37. Hypothesis: I think fertilizer will help bean plants grow taller.
Ms. Romer
Hypothesis: I think fertilizer will help bean plants grow taller.
Procedure:
You take a bean plant and give it 4 scoops of fertilizer per day.
You watch it grow for 3 weeks.
No Control Group
Ms. Romer

38. Procedure: You use 2 plants.
Ms. Romer
Procedure: You use 2 plants.
One has no fertilizer, one has 4 scoops per day.
Ms. Romer

40. What can we fix about this experiment?
Ms. Romer
What can we fix about this experiment?
Use more plants!!
Ms. Romer