1. The Scientific Method
Probe

2. What is the Scientific Method?
System of organization used to gather information/data about a question
Steps are involved
Scientific method: a series of steps to answer questions

3. Purpose Observations Hypothesis Experiments Conclusion
General Steps in the Scientific Method:
Purpose Observations Hypothesis Experiments Conclusion

4. Purpose What do you want to learn? Ask a question!
“Does the colour of a light bulb affect the growth of grass seeds?
“What effect does temperature have on heart rate?”
Is there a relationship between studying and your score on tests?

5. Observations
Research component: gathering background information Ideally, observations use all 5 senses (sight, touch, taste, smell, listening) – but it could be dangerous (eg. chemicals) Observations mainly involve vision
What observations can I make about test scores and/or studying?
Brainstorm as a class: What other factors can affect test scores
Place of study – is it quiet? Are you studying alone or with people?
Time of study – studying in chunks of time or long periods of cramming? Studying in the morning or at night?
Length of study time  this is what we will focus on

6. Hypothesis A proposed explanation to the problem Must be testable
Written in the “If…then…” format
Predicts an outcome

7. Identifying Variables
Formalized hypotheses contain 2 variables: Independent variable: the factor that is controlled or changed Dependent variable: the factor that is observed or measured
Based on our example, can you identify the independent and dependent variable?
Independent variable – amount of studying
Dependent variable – test score
If student A increases his amount of studying, then he will obtain a higher test score

8. Designing a controlled experiment
A procedure to test the hypothesis
Ask for some variables
Ex. test score, hair growth (Rogaine example)

9. Identifying Variables
A controlled experiment will have only one variable at a time. All other variables (besides the independent and dependent variable) should be unchanged or “controlled”
Therefore, experiments also have a control group
Control group: the test you carry out with no variables, so you can observe whether your independent variable does indeed cause a change

10. Examples of Controls and Variables
For example, suppose you want to figure out the fastest route to walk home from school.
You will try several different routes and time how long it takes you to get home by each one.
Since you are only interested in finding a route that is fastest for you, you will do the walking yourself.

11. What are the Variables in Your Experiment?
Varying the route is the independent variable
The time it takes is the dependent variable
Keeping the same walker throughout makes the walker a control variable.

12. Controlled Experiments
One experiment is NOT enough to develop a theory Results from experiments must be analyzed to see if the hypothesis is supported or not

13. Analysis
Record what happened during the experiment; also known as data

14. Conclusion Most people think that it stops here but NO!!!
Review your data and determine whether your hypothesis is supported or not
If hypothesis is supported, more experiments have to be done to confirm results
If hypothesis is not supported, what other variables could have been involved?

15. It takes years of research in order for theories to be developed (retesting)
Different hypotheses need to be tested out b/c many different factors can be involved in the research question