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The Scientific Method

What is it?

Logical, problem-solving technique

Steps Of The Scientific Method

Problem Background Information Hypothesis Materials Procedure Data/Results Conclusion

Hint To Remember The Steps

People Problem

Hate Hypothesis

Mud Materials

Pigs Procedure

Don’t Really Data/Results

Care Conclusion

Problem Statement

•A questionquestion that compares variables.

•Should be what you want to find out.

–Example: Does the drop height affect the bounce height of a superball?

What Are Variables?

• Something that changes.

•There are independent variables anddependent variables.

Look back at the last example:

Example: Does the drop height affect the bounce

height of a superball?

What two things are changing?

Drop height, bounce height

These are the VARIABLES.

What is an Independent Variable? (Also called Manipulated Variable)

We manipulate, or change it, on purpose.

Example: Does the drop height affect the bounce height of a superball?

Independent Variable in example: Drop heights used (we change them on purpose)

What is a Dependent Variable? (Also called Responding Variable)

Changes depending on the result of the independent variable

Data you are collecting

Example: Does the drop height affect the bounce height of a superball?

Dependent Variable in example: bounce heights (We don’t know them before we start.)

What is a Constant?

Does not change for the duration of an experiment

Example: Does the drop height affect the bounce height of a superball?

One constant in example: superball (Does not change during the experiment - same ball would be used)

What is a Control Group?

• The untreated group

• The control group provides basis for comparison.

Hypothesis

•EDUCATED GUESS

•What you think the results of the experiment will show

Example: If a superball is dropped from increasing heights then the bounce heights will also increase because…(explain why)

Materials

•List of items used to conduct an experiment (Don’t list pencil and paper unless part of experiment.)

•Be sure to list quantities and sizes of equipment (metric)

Procedure

•Numbered steps of the experiment that will be followed to answer the problem

Note: An experiment can only test one independent variable at a time.

Note: To ensure reliability and validity, repeated trials should be done.

Data/Results

•Observations•Graphs•Drawings•Pictures•Charts•Tables•And so on….

Conclusion

•A statement that presents the findings of the experiment using specific data

•Answers the problem

•Explains what the data shows (data should support conclusion)

•States if the hypothesis was supported or rejected

Why Do We Use Graphs?

•Graphs help us visualize numerical data.

•There are several different types of graphs:–Bar graphs–Pie graphs (Circle graphs)–Line graphs

Bar Graphs

Bar graphs are used to show a comparison of multiple objects.

Pie Graphs

Pie graphs are used to compare the parts of a whole.

Line Graphs

Line graphs are used to show the relationship between variables. Many times line graphs show change over time.

Graphing Variables

• The Independent Variable (Manipulated Variable) is graphed on the X-Axis

• The Dependent Variable (Responding Variable) is graphed on the Y-Axis

Remember:

• DRY MIX

X-axis

Y-axis

Manipulated Variable

also called

Independent Variable

Dependent Variable

also called

Responding Variable

1. What is the independent variable?

a.Temperatureb.Timec.Solubility

2. Which is a correct statement from the graph?

a. The solubility increases as the temperature decreases.b. The solubility decreases as the temperature decreases.c. The solubility increases as the temperature increases.

3. What is the variable that changes depending on some other factors?

A. Independent Variable

B. Dependent Variable

C. Controlled Variable

4. A variable that does not change for the duration of an experiment.

A. Independent Variable

B. Dependent Variable

C. Controlled Variable

5. What you think the results of the experiment will show.

A. Problem

B. Hypothesis

C. Conclusion

D. Data

6. An opinion, or conclusion, based

on observed facts.

A. Observation

B. Inference

C. Data

D. Conclusion