1. The Scientific Method

2. The Scientific Method Way to solve a problem Step by step plan
Tries to answer a question

3. The Scientific Method The Scientific Method has 6 steps: Problem
Research
Hypothesis
Experiment
Data
Conclusion

4. Step 1 - Problem/Question
You ask a question about
what you observe.

5. Step 2 - Research
Gather information about the problem through observations, books, internet, or past experience. What do you know?

6. Step 3 - Hypothesis Prediction that can be tested by an experiment
Answers the problem/question
May be written in the form
If …. then …..

7. Good Hypothesis Both an independent and dependent variable
Declarative statement - NO I’s or We’s or
My or Our

8. Step 4 - Experiment
way to test the hypothesis and collect data under controlled conditions
The outcome must be measurable

9. Independent Variable:
- factor that is TESTED
- what is DIFFERENT between the groups
- what CHANGES between each set-up
THERE IS ONLY ONE INDEPENDENT
VARIABLE IN AN EXPERIMENT!!

10. Dependent variable: what is MEASURED during the experiment
- affected by the independent variable

11. Constant Variables: - variables that are kept the SAME
- makes the experiment FAIR
- there are MANY in an experiment

12. Experimental Group: - the group that you are testing
- group that gets the factor you are testing
- group that gets the independent variable

13. Control Group: - group that DOES NOT get the factor you are testing
- group that you check your results against
- used to compare results

14. Good Experiments large sample size
one factor tested (one independent variable)
quantitative or measurable results
Large sample size
Repeated for accuracy

15. Step 5 - Observations/Data
Record any observations and data

16. Observations Qualitative Observation
qualities (observable but not measurable)
no numbers
examples: color, shape, smell, texture

17. Observations Quantitative Observations
quantities (observable AND measurable)
numbers
examples: length, volume, temperature

19. Graphs Line Graph describes how one factor affects a second factor
Continuous data

20. Graphs
Circle Graph
compares percentages
Compares part of a whole

21. Graphs
Column or Bar Graph
used for comparison
discreet data points

22. Step 6 Conclusion accept or reject your hypothesis
Support your answer with the data
Publish your results