1. The SCIENTIFIC METHOD

2. Definition Scientific method - steps used by scientists to solve a problem

3. 1.STATE THE PROBLEM Problem should be objective and testable. Usually comes about by initial observations. Cow Experiment: ______________________________________________

4. 2.RESEARCH THE PROBLEM. Books, internet, people, etc. CE: ___________________________________________ 3.FORM A HYPOTHESIS. Testable prediction/educated guess in the form of a statement. CE: ___________________________________________

5. 4.CONDUCT AN EXPERIMENT. Parts of the experiment: - control group – the group that is NOT subjected to what is being tested (comparison group) CE: _______________________________________________________________ - experimental group – the group that is subjected to what is being tested CE: _______________________________________________________________

6. Variables – things that may change during an experiment –Independent variable – the one thing YOU are doing different between the 2 groups CE: ________________________________________________________ –Dependent variable – what you will measure or observe as a result of doing the experiment CE: ________________________________________________________ Magic question: How does _______________ affect _____________? IVDV

7. Constants – things that remain the same between the 2 groups CE: ___________________________________________________________

8. 5.RECORD AND ORGANIZE DATA. Data can be qualitative or quantitative. Organize into tables, charts, or graphs. CE: ___________________________________________________________

9. 6.ANALYZE DATA What do the data mean? CE: ___________________________________________________________________ 7.DRAW CONCLUSIONS Was your hypothesis supported or disproved? Were there any errors? CE: _____________________________________________________

10. 8.REPORT FINDINGS CE: ______________________________________________________

11. THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT EXPERIMENTS: -Did they have a large enough sample size? -Do they test only one thing at a time? -Did they use a control group? -Are the results repeatable? (  theories  laws) -Can the results be interpreted differently (“alternate interpretation or explanation”)