1. Scientific Method

2. Steps in the Scientific Method
Observation
Hypothesis
Experiment
Data Collection
Conclusion
Retest

3. Observations Gathered through your _______
A scientist notices something in their ____________

4. Observations
An example of an __________ might be noticing that many salamanders near a pond have curved, not straight, tails

5. Hypothesis A suggested solution to the problem. Must be _______
Sometimes written as ___________ statements
Predicts an outcome

6. Hypothesis
An example of a ___________ might be that the salamanders have curved tails due to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live.

7. A procedure to _____ the hypothesis.
Experiment
A procedure to _____ the hypothesis.

8. _______ – factor in the experiment that is being tested

9. A good or “valid” experiment will only have _____ variable!

10. Scientific Experiments Follow Rules
An experimenter changes one ______ and ________ or _______ what happens.

11. The Control Variable
The experimenter makes a special effort to keep other factors _______ so that they will not effect the outcome.
Those factors are called ____________.

12. What is the Purpose of a Control?
Controls are NOT being tested
Controls are used for COMPARISON

13. Other Variables
The factor that is changed is known as the __________ variable.
The factor that is measured or observed is called the ________ variable.

14. Example of Controls & 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.

15. What are the Variables in Your Experiment?
Varying the route is the _________________.
The time it takes is the ____________________.
Keeping the same walker throughout makes the walker a ___________________.

16. One more thing… it is best to make __________with each independent variable.

17. Remember: To be a Valid Experiment:
Two groups are required --- the control & experimental groups
There should be only one variable

18. Data _____ of the experiment
May be ___________(numbers) or ___________

19. Data Must be ___________
Can be organized into _________________________________

20. Conclusion
The ______ to the hypothesis based on the data obtained from the experiment

21. In order to ____________________, experiments must be retested.

22. Solving a Problem 1)_________ a Problem
2) State _________ about the problem
3) Form a ________ about the problem (if…then…)
4) Design an __________ to test the hypothesis
5) Collect ______
6) Form a _________
7) ___________