1. Scientific Method

2. Independent Variable (IV)  what you change in the experiment  this “change” needs to be measurable  examples  weight  mass  volume  height

3. Dependent Variable (DV)  the result from the change you made  what you measure  known as data  “depends” on your independent variable  also should be measurable

4. The IV and DV …  are close relatives and can be found throughout the following steps of the scientific process:  ASK A QUESTION  FORM A HYPOTHESIS  TEST THE HYPOTHESIS  ANALYZE THE RESULTS/DATA

5. Ask a Question

6. Does the Does the _________________________ (Ind.Var. -IV) (Ind.Var. -IV) affect the ? (Dep.Var. - DV) affect the ________________________ ? (Dep.Var. - DV)

7. Form a Hypothesis Form a Hypothesis

8. Form a Hypothesis  Hypothesis  a measurable and educated guess  predicts how the independent variable will affect the dependent variable

9. Form a Hypothesis Form a Hypothesis If the _____________ is _____________, (Ind.Var. - IV) (incr./decr.) then the ____________ will ___________. (Dep. Var. - DV) (incr./decr./ stay the same) stay the same)

10. Test the Hypothesis Test the Hypothesis

11. Test the Hypothesis  Data Table  an organized way to record data

12. Independent Variable – IV Dependent Variable - DV Test the Hypothesis Data Table Trial One Trial Two Trial Three Average(Mean)

13. Analyze the Results

14.  Results  patterns and relationships between what you are changing (IV) and your data (DV)

15. Analyze the Results  Types of Results  quantitative: numbers, amounts, measurements, etc.  raw data  qualitative: comparisons, relationships, etc.  examples  bigger/smaller  thicker/thinner  brighter/more dull

16. Analyze the Results  Line Graph  represents patterns and relationships between what you are changing (IV) and your data (DV)

17. Analyze the Results Line Graph Title The effect of the. (Independent Variable – IV) on the. (Dependent Variable - DV) (Dependent Variable - DV)

18. Independent Variable - IV Dependent Variable - DV Analyze the Results Line Graph Set-up … (…title goes here – across the top)

19. Analyze the Results  Writing your results  State the data  Concentrate on the averages  Quantitative – numbers  means, minimum, maximum, range, etc.  Qualitative – compare the results  use words like “faster”, “larger”, “less”, “greater”, etc.

20. Draw Conclusions

21.  Conclusion  restate the hypothesis  decide if your hypothesis was supported  restate the data  discuss possible sources of error (SOE’s)  discuss future applications

22. Draw Conclusions  Sources of Error (SOE’s)  possible changes in materials that could alter the results of the experiment  often a result of having too many variables  all materials other than the independent variable should remain constant

23. Draw Conclusions  Constants  all factors in an experiment that are kept the same  an experiment should only test ONE factor – your independent variable

24. Draw Conclusions Writing a Conclusion  Begin with “The hypothesis stated “If the …”  Next, “The data did/did not support the hypothesis.”  Then, explain what the data shows.  Discuss possible SOE’s and how you could improve your experiment (and avoid these SOE’s) next time.  Compare to the control.

25. Draw Conclusions  Control  the normal expectation of what is to happen  what you compare your results to  example: If you wanted to see if fertilizer would increase a plant’s growth rate you would have several different plants receiving different amounts of fertilizer, but your control would just receive water, and no fertilizer.

26. Communicate Results

27. CommunicateResults  Write a lab report  Publish an article in a scientific journal  Write a book

28. Remember…

29. You must see the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE and the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE and the DEPENDENT VARIABLE when you …  ASK a QUESTION  FORM a HYPOTHESIS  TEST the HYPOTHESIS  in the DATA TABLES, and  ANALYZE the RESULTS/DATA  in the LINE GRAPH