The The Scientific Scientific MethodMethod

Steps to the Scientific MethodSteps to the Scientific Method

5.5. Collect DataCollect Data

6.6. Analyze DataAnalyze Data

7.7. Draw ConclusionsDraw Conclusions

8.8. Share InformationShare Information

1.1. ObservationObservation

2.2. ResearchResearch

3.3. HypothesisHypothesis

4.4. ExperimentExperiment

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific MethodStarts with a questionStarts with a questionOnly tests one question at a timeOnly tests one question at a time

Make….Make….ObservationObservation

Using the five senses (taste, touch, smell, Using the five senses (taste, touch, smell, sight, sound)sight, sound)

InferenceInferenceA statement about a general situation A statement about a general situation

based on prior knowledgebased on prior knowledgeUsed to form your questionUsed to form your question

Do…Do…ResearchResearch

Books, journals, magazines, newspapers, Books, journals, magazines, newspapers, electronic sourceselectronic sources

Should be CURRENTShould be CURRENT

Create a…..Create a…..HypothesisHypothesis

Educated Guess/Possible Explanation that Educated Guess/Possible Explanation that answers your questionanswers your question

If…Then…Because… statementIf…Then…Because… statement

Design and Carry Out an…Design and Carry Out an…ExperimentExperiment

Process of testing a hypothesisProcess of testing a hypothesisMust have:Must have:

Independent Variable/I.V. (manipulated Independent Variable/I.V. (manipulated variable)---thing we purposely change variable)---thing we purposely change

Dependent Variable/D.V. (responding variable)Dependent Variable/D.V. (responding variable)—measured response of the I.V.—measured response of the I.V.

Trials/Sample Size-- # of times experiment is Trials/Sample Size-- # of times experiment is runrun

Control—Experiment run Control—Experiment run withoutwithout the I.V. used the I.V. used for comparisonfor comparison

Constants– Conditions kept the same for all Constants– Conditions kept the same for all trialstrials

Collect…Collect… DataData

Collected during experimentsCollected during experiments Two typesTwo types

Quantitative—numerical data (Ex. 1,2,3)Quantitative—numerical data (Ex. 1,2,3)Qualitative—descriptive data (Ex. Fast/Slow)Qualitative—descriptive data (Ex. Fast/Slow)

Analyze Data…Analyze Data…Compare and contrast your findingsCompare and contrast your findingsExpressed in charts and graphsExpressed in charts and graphs

Graphs Need…Graphs Need… Meaningful Title (The Meaningful Title (The

effects of the I.V. on effects of the I.V. on the D.V.)the D.V.)

LegendLegend D.V.—Y-AxisD.V.—Y-Axis I.V.—X-AxisI.V.—X-Axis

Legend:

Independent Variable—X-Axis

Depe nden t

Variable

Draw…Draw…ConclusionsConclusions

Support or reject hypothesisSupport or reject hypothesisRetest to make sure you get the same resultsRetest to make sure you get the same resultsIf rejected, go back and form a new hypothesis and If rejected, go back and form a new hypothesis and

retestretest

CommunicateCommunicateWhat you discoveredWhat you discoveredAny mistakes or improvements?Any mistakes or improvements?Sources of errors—Errors in the experiment Sources of errors—Errors in the experiment

that may have changed the resultsthat may have changed the results

Major Discovery?Major Discovery?Theory--Many scientists have tested and Theory--Many scientists have tested and

gotten the same resultsgotten the same resultsLaw - a phenomenon of nature that has been Law - a phenomenon of nature that has been

proven to invariably occur whenever certain proven to invariably occur whenever certain conditions exist or are met. It is generally conditions exist or are met. It is generally accepted to be true and universal.accepted to be true and universal.

LAB REPORTLAB REPORT

Guided QuestionGuided QuestionStudent generatedStudent generatedClear and conciseClear and conciseMust be investigatiableMust be investigatiableRelates to the purposeRelates to the purpose

HypothesisHypothesisProvides an possible explanation that Provides an possible explanation that

answers your guided questionanswers your guided questionBased on observation, research and past Based on observation, research and past

experienceexperienceMust be an if…then…because statementMust be an if…then…because statement

Materials and ProceduresMaterials and ProceduresList all the materials needed for the lab in List all the materials needed for the lab in

bullet formbullet formWrite a paragraph or paragraphs Write a paragraph or paragraphs

explaining each step that is took in order explaining each step that is took in order to complete the experiment. Anyone to complete the experiment. Anyone should be able to read this and duplicate should be able to read this and duplicate your experiment.your experiment.

Results and DataResults and DataDescribe in detail the final outcome of the Describe in detail the final outcome of the

investigation using words, numbers, investigation using words, numbers, pictures, graphs and charts.pictures, graphs and charts.

Sequence the results as the occurred.Sequence the results as the occurred.

ConclusionConclusionExplain and communicate how the Explain and communicate how the

investigation addressed the guiding investigation addressed the guiding question and hypothesis.question and hypothesis.

Use complete sentences.Use complete sentences.Based on evidence and dataBased on evidence and dataStates if the hypothesis is supported or States if the hypothesis is supported or

rejectedrejected

New QuestionsNew Questions2 questions based on the experiment2 questions based on the experiment