Scientific Method Overview• Seven steps:

1. Choose problem

2. Research problem

3. Develop hypothesis

4. Write procedures

5. Test hypothesis

6. Organize data

7. State conclusions

Choose a Problem• What do you want

to learn more about?

• Ask a specific question

• Ex 1:– Do plants need

water to grow?• Ex: 2:

– Is Mr. Pullins the best teacher of all time?

Research Your Problem• How can you

find the answer to your question?

• Research!– Library– Internet– Adults– Your own

background knowledge!

Develop a Hypothesis• What do you

think the answer to your question will be?

• Hypothesis-– A statement

that tries to explain a relationship between two variables

THEThey’re sisters…

Still Developing Hypothesis…• Use the words

IF and THEN• Ex 1:

– IF you water a plant more, THEN it will grow taller

• Ex 2:– IF Mr. Pullins is

your teacher, THEN you will become a genius!

IF IF IF IF IF IF IF IF THEN

THEN THEN

Still Developing Hypothesis…• What is a variable

again?• Variable:

– Anything that can be changed or manipulated during an experiment

• Ex 1:– Type of plant,

amount of water, sun exposure, etc.

• Ex 2:– Time of day with Mr.

Decker vs. Pullins, how much time spent, etc

2A + 3 = 72B + 3 = 72C + 3 = 72D + 3 = 72E + 3 = 7

Write Procedures• How will you test

your hypothesis?

1. List materials

2. List each thing that you will do• Number each step• Write down

EVERYTHING you will do

• Anyone should be able to replicate your experiment

Test Your Hypothesis• Obtain materials• Conduct experiment• Follow your

procedure… exactly• Be sure to control

your variables • Variable-

– Anything that can change or vary during an experiment

Controlling Variables• You need to know

exactly what you are testing…

• …You have to control EVERYTHING

• Three different types:1. Independent

variable2. Dependant variable3. Control variables

Independent Variable• Independent variable-

– The variable that you are changing or testing

• Example hypothesis:– IF you water a plant

more, THEN it will grow taller

– Water is the independent variable

– It will always be the IF portion of your hypothesis

Dependent Variable• Dependent variable-

– Changes in response to the independent variable

– The variable you are measuring

• Example hypothesis:– IF you water a plant more,

THEN it will grow taller– Plant height is the

dependent variable– It will always be the THEN

portion of your hypothesis

Control Variables• Control variables-

– Variables that are unchanged throughout the experiment

• Example hypothesis:– IF you water a plant

more, THEN it will grow taller

– Controlled variables:• Soil, age of plant, type of

plant, amount of sunlight, etc..

Organize Data• Organize data

into the following: – Tables– Charts– Graphs

• Draw pictures• Take photos

State Conclusions• What did you see,

hear, smell, taste, etc?– Qualitative data

• Data that can’t be measured

• This baby has perfect teeth

• What does your numerical data show you?– Quantitative data

• Data that can be measured

• This baby is 86 cm long

State Conclusions• Decide what your

data tells you about your hypothesis

• Decide how your hypothesis might change based on your results

• Communicate your results with others!