1. Scientific Method
Use Cornell note taking to write the most important information in this presentation.
Use only right page (s)

2. What is the Scientific Method?
It is a process used to gather information to find answers to questions.
Provides us with an organized method for conducting and analyzing an experiment.

3. Steps in the Scientific Method
Identify a Problem or a question
Hypothesis
Experiment
Data Collection
Analyze Data
Formulate a Conclusion
Retest
Communicate the Results/ write a lab report

4. Title The effect of __________ on _________. independent dependent
variable variable

5. Problem or Question (Based on observations)
Will ________ affect ________?
independent dependent
variable variable

6. Hypothesis Shows cause and effect Must be testable
If _______ then ________, independent dependent
variable variable because___________.
Predicts an outcome and explains why.

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

8. Scientific Experiments Follow Rules
An experimenter changes one factor (independent variable) and observes or measures (dependent variable) what happens.

9. Variables
The factor that is changed is known as the independent variable.
The factor that is measured or observed is called the dependent variable.

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

11. What is the Purpose of a Control group?
Control Group is the group NOT being tested, used for COMPARISON
Experimental Group is the group being tested.

12. Constants
The experimenter makes a special effort to keep other factors constant so that they will not effect the outcome.
Everything that stays the same are called control variables or constants.

13. Repeated # of Trials
One more thing… it is best to make several trials with each independent variable.

14. Data Results of the experiment May be quantitative (numbers) or
qualitative (descriptive)

15. Data Must be organized Can be organized into charts, tables, or graphs
Temp
(independent var.)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Hot (40C)
Cold (15C)
Warm (30C)
Room temp (25C)

16. Conclusion
Did your data support on not support your hypothesis?

17. Error Analysis-Retest
In order to verify the results, experiments must be retested.
How can you improve your experiment?

18. Scientific Method Output (left Page)
Paste into your first left page next to Scientific Method Cornell Notes.
Use your notes to fill in the blanks.

19. Scientific Method Lab Report (use next Right Page: this will be your example for every lab report in the future)
Title The effect of _______ on ________.
Problem Will __________ affect __________ ?
Hypothesis If ___________ then ____________.
Independent Variable __________
Dependent Variable __________
Control Group __________
Constants __________
Results
Create a table to
record data as you
collect it during your
experiment.
Write these two in your
left page.
Analysis and Conclusion My hypothesis was/was not supported by my data collected. Explain why or why not. ( 5 sentences)
Error Analysis How can you improve this experiment? Explain how and
why you need to do this. (5 sentences)
Temp
(independent var.)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Hot (40C)
Cold (15C)
Warm (30C)
Room temp (25C)

20. Helicopter lab
You will use your understanding of the scientific method to test any variable you want in a paper helicopter.
You will set up a lab report and fill in the necessary information as you come up with it on your own. An example is given in the title. You may use this variable or any other interesting variable you want.
Have FUN!!!

21. Title. The effect of _direction of the blades_ on
Title The effect of _direction of the blades_ on _direction the helicopter spins.
Problem Will __________ affect __________ ?
Hypothesis If ___________ then ____________.
Independent Variable __________
Dependent Variable __________
Control Group __________
Constants __________
Results
Create a table to
record data as you
collect it during your
experiment.
Write these two in your
left page.
Analysis and Conclusion My hypothesis was/was not supported by my data collected. Explain why or why not. ( 5 sentences)
Error Analysis How can you improve this experiment? Explain how and why you need to do this. (5 sentences)
Temp
(independent var.)
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3