1. Copy into binder – Class notes The Scientific Method

3. The Scientific Method

4. What is the Scientific Method?
Problem solving in a scientific way
We use the scientific method all the time!
Follows a specific pattern of steps

6. Step 1- Ask a Question Ask a Question What are you trying to find out
Also called “PURPOSE” or Identifying the Problem

7. Step 2 – Conduct Research
Gather information about the problem that will help you make a good hypothesis and design a good experiment
Quantitative and qualitative observations
internet

8. Step 3 Form a Hypothesis Forming a hypothesis An educated guess
What you think the answer to your question is
Based on research
You should always be able to give good reasons why you chose your hypothesis.

9. Step 4 Design an Experiment
Design an experiment to test your hypothesis
Variables
Different factors that can effect or change and experiment.
It is very important that you only allow one variable to change when conducting an experiment.

10. Variables Independent Variable Constants The thing you are testing
The one and only variable that you will allow to change.
The variables that you don’t allow to change
What you keep the same in each test or experiment

11. Variables continued Control Dependent Variable
What you compare the results of your experiment to
Usually just the absence of the independent variable
The variable that responds to the independent variable
What you measure!

12. Exit Card
1. What is the most important thing you learned about doing a good experiment?

14. Step 5 - Collecting and Analyzing Data
Collecting and Analyzing the Data
What data did you collect?
Create tables and graphs to record, organize and represent data.
Identify if there is anything that may effect your results (sources of error).

15. Step 6 Draw Conclusions Conclusions
What is the answer to your question based on your results?
Was your hypothesis supported? Why or why not?
If you did this experiment again, what would you do differently?
What further experiments could you do to further test this?

16. Step 7 - Communicating Communicating with others Repeating the work
The most important step of scientific inquiry!
Sharing ideas with others through writing and speaking
Others can repeat the experiment
When an experiment can be repeated with the same results each time then the experiment is considered a valid experiment.

17. Your results are not valid if…
They are based upon opinion rather than data.
Your sample size is too small
You do not have a control.
Someone cannot repeat your experiment and get the same results!