1. How can you find a supported answer to an investigative question?
Scientific Method
How can you find a supported answer to an investigative question?

2. Question This is the first step of the Scientific Method.
May be asked by the teacher
Could be asked by you
It should be a problem that can be testable
The question or statement of problem should include an independent and dependent variable.

3. Hypothesis
This is what you expect to happen based on your observations and what you already know.
Should begin with “I predict…because…”
It’s OK if it’s wrong – this is how we learn.
It should predict a relationship or trend and should include the independent and dependent variable

4. Variables
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
Controlled Variables

5. Independent Variable
This is the component of the problem that you are testing to see if it has an effect on something else.
This is the variable that you CHANGE to determine if there is a pattern or relationship between that change and what you are measuring.
A valid experiment has at least 3 levels of the independent variable

6. Dependent Variable
This is the component of the experiment that is MEASURED
This variable’s measurement DEPENDS on the independent variable

7. Examples of Independent and Dependent Variables.
How much water gives the greatest plant growth?
Independent Variable: 1 liter, 2 liters, 3 liters of water.
Dependent Variable: the more water is given, the more the plant will grow.

8. Controlled Variables
These are the components of the experiment that you keep the same throughout the entire experiment.
These are constant and are used to keep the experiment valid.

9. Standard of Comparison
You must choose one of your three levels of the independent variable for the standard of comparison.
The SOC is used as a point of reference to compare the results of your experiment too.
Think of it as a starting point for discussing and analyzing data.
There is not a correct SOC, but you must rationalize why you picked the one you did

10. Materials
This is a list of everything a person would need to test the question or problem.

11. Procedure
This is a STEP BY STEP list of directions needed to test the question.
Should be detailed enough that a stranger could follow the steps to test the question.
Don’t assume that someone else will know what you are talking about.
Should include diagrams
Should include repeated trials

12. Measurement In science, we measure using the Metric System (SI)
Mass – grams
Length – meters
Volume – liters
Temperature – Celsius
Remember prefixes – kilo, centi, milli

13. Data Table This is a chart that displays your results.
For accurate results data tables must show multiple trials and an average.
Include units in your data table.
A general rule of thumb is to have at least 3 trials for most experiments
Multiple trials help give you more accurate results
Data Table should be clear enough for a stranger to understand exactly what is happening in an experiment

14. Graphs
Once you have gathered your data, you must pick an appropriate graph to display your results
Graphs give your audience an easy visual from which to read the collected data

15. Types of Graphs Bar – used to compare data that cannot be connected
Line or Scatter – shows the relationship between an independent and dependent variable
X axis – independent
Y axis – dependent

16. Components of Graphs Title X and Y axis labeled correctly
Units included
Appropriate scale

17. Analysis and Interpretation of Data
Compare all data – do not just list data points
Discuss any trends in the data
Talk about any unusual data points

18. Possible Experimental Errors
List possible errors
Explain how these errors could have affected the results of the experiment.

19. Conclusion Restate your hypothesis.
Confirmation of hypothesis. – Is it accepted or rejected?
Reasons for acceptance or rejection is explained and supported by the data

20. Recommendations for Further Use
How will these results be used for further studying and investigation about the problem and issues related to the problem.

21. Scientific Theory
It takes multiple experiments by many different people for a conclusion to become a theory.
Many scientists have to get similar results and have similar conclusions before something becomes widely accepted.
Compare to multiple sources – if findings are consistent across the board, it’s likely that something true has been discovered.