1. The Scientific Method
What is it?
Mrs. Martins

2. WHAT is Science? Science is a process
Science is an organized way of thinking about the natural world

3. The Scientific Method
is a series of steps scientists use to answer questions or solve problems.

4. The steps of the
Scientific Method

5. Ask a question Make a Hypothesis Test the Hypothesis Analyze Results
6th Grade.
Ask a question
Make a Hypothesis
Test the Hypothesis
Analyze Results
Draw Conclusions
Communicate Results

6. Ask a question Conduct Research Make a Hypothesis Test the Hypothesis
7th – 8th Grade
Ask a question
Conduct Research
Make a Hypothesis
Test the Hypothesis
Analyze Results
Draw Conclusions
Communicate Results

7. Ann (Rich) Has Twenty Adorable Dogs and Cats
Mnemonics to help remember …
Ann (Rich)
Has
Twenty
Adorable
Dogs and
Cats

8. Based on making Observations
ASK A QUESTION
Curiosity, Skeptism, Objective,
Logic, Careful observation,
Creative
Based on making Observations
Use the 5 senses -

9. FORM A HYPOTHESIS Remember: A hypothesis is never wrong!
A possible explanation or answer to question; educated guess
Then make a prediction – what will happen
Must write prediction in “if… then… because… ” (cause…effect… reason…) format.
Must be testable
Must be measurable
Remember: A hypothesis is never wrong!

10. TEST THE HYPOTHESIS 1 Develop a Procedure
Carefully identify all variables
Conduct a controlled experiment
A “Fair” or unbiased experiment tests only one variable at a time

11. 3 Types of Variables Controlled variables -
are all kept constant by scientist throughout the experiment.

12. 2. Manipulated/Independent variable
… is what the scientist changes on purpose (the “if” part, or cause)

13. 3. Responding/Dependent Variable
- is what you measure (the “then” part, or effect) - Results obtained from changing the independent variable

14. Variables may be …
Quantitative - Can be counted or measured: length, quantity, time
Qualitative - Can only be described: quality, color, taste,

15. The Control Group
The set of experiments that contain everything except the manipulated variable

16. TEST THE HYPOTHESIS 2
If no experiment is possible, do further observation and research
If your investigation calls for creating technology, build or model it

17. ANALYZE RESULTS
Collect data into well-made tables and display on graphs
Use mathematical tools (like the calculator or computer) to help
Analyze your data. Discuss and make sense of it.
Is it relevant?
Is the Question answered?
What information do you get?

18. DRAW CONCLUSIONS
Ask: Do my results support my hypothesis? Is it supported or not supported by the experiment
NOT true or false!!
Do NOT ask: Is my experiment right or wrong?
Explain how or why.

19. COMMUNICATE RESULTS Check/Share results with colleagues: peer review
Publish results in a report, scientific journal, magazine, meetings, in a class, on internet, etc

20. Writing a Lab Report Title: Question: Research: Hypothesis: Materials:
Procedure:
Results:
Analysis:
Conclusion:

21. Other Terms to Know
Technology – application of science, usually to solve problems
Theory – unifying explanation for a broad range of observations and hypotheses – answers WHY.
Law – Summary of scientific results. WHAT happens or HOW things work, but not WHY