1. The Scientific Method
Short Video: click on picture

2. Steps in the Scientific Method
Observe and ask a Question
Form a Hypothesis
Controlled Experiment
Collect & Analyze Data
Draw Conclusion
Publish Results

3. Steps in the Scientific Method
Observe and ask a Question
Form a Hypothesis

4. Hypotheses Educated Guess
Observation
Research
Literature
Hypotheses are tentative scientific explanations for a set of observations that can be tested
Typically an IF…..THEN…. statement

5. Hypothesis Versus Theory
Tested once to many times
Tested many times & supported
Data from one experiment
Data from many experiments
May be valid or invalid
Shown to always be valid

6. Steps in the Scientific Method
Observe and ask a Question
Form a Hypothesis
Controlled Experiment

7. Controlled Experiments
Only one variable is changed
Variable – factors that change
Independent variable:
manipulated
Dependent variable:
Responding
Measured

8. Scientific Methodology
Design controlled experiment
Two test groups
1. Experimental group – Independent variable changed
2. Control group – Independent variable NOT changed

9. Situation 1
Smithers thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He creates two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an hour, Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks.
Control:
Independent:
Dependent:
Conclusion:

10. Situation 2 Control: Independent: Dependent: Conclusion:
Krusty was told that a certain itching powder was the newest best thing on the market, it even claims to cause 50% longer lasting itches. Interested in this product, he buys the itching powder and compares it to his usual product. One test subject (A) is sprinkled with the original itching powder, and another test subject (B) was sprinkled with the Experimental itching powder. Subject A reported having itches for 30 minutes. Subject B reported to have itches for 45 minutes.
Control:
Independent:
Dependent:
Conclusion:

11. Steps in the Scientific Method
Observe and ask a Question
Form a Hypothesis
Controlled Experiment
Collect & Analyze Data

12. Data Data? Detailed record of experimental observations Types:
Quantitative – counting/measuring
Qualitative - descriptive

13. The Amount of Defective Cars Produced in Car Factories
Graphs
1. Bar Graph
The Amount of Defective Cars Produced in Car Factories

14. Graphs
2. Line Graph

15. Amount

16. Plotting Data

18. Steps in the Scientific Method
Observe and ask a Question
Form a Hypothesis
Controlled Experiment
Collect & Analyze Data
Draw Conclusion
Publish Results

19. Publish Results
Primary Literature
Peer reviewed

20. Identify variables as indicated:
Redi’s experiment
1668
Flies from meat
independent variable:
dependent variable: