Scientific Method Created by: Peg Kueberth. Scientific Method Steps: Problem Research Hypothesis...
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Scientific Method Created by: Peg Kueberth. Scientific Method Steps: Problem Research Hypothesis Experiment Data & analysis Conclusion An organized approach
Scientific Method Steps: Problem Research Hypothesis Experiment
Data & analysis Conclusion An organized approach to designing
controlled experiments.
Slide 3
Problem What question do you want to answer?
Slide 4
Research Whats already been studied, experimented,
learned?
Slide 5
Hypothesis Educated guess at the answer to the problem written
as an, If then statement
Slide 6
Experiment I.D. variables, list materials, plan/list steps to
follow in performing the experiment
Slide 7
Data & Analysis Report measurements in SI units, decide how
to display data (tables/graphs), make calculations, record
observations
Slide 8
Conclusion Accept, reject or modify hypothesis Quote data
decision is based upon Comment on validity & reliability
Suggest changes &/or future experiments
Slide 9
Match the step to its description. A.Decide to accept, reject
or modify hypothesis B.Identify variables, design & perform
experiment C.Find out what experiments other scientists have
performed D.Question you want to answer E.Record results, perform
calculations F.Educated guess at the answer to the problem
1.Research 2.Problem 3.Hypothesis 4.Experiment 5.Data &
analysis 6.Conclusion
Slide 10
Is the Experiment Valid? Validity = tests what it claims to
test Is only 1 variable changed? Is the independent variable being
tested in a way it would really be used? If no control gp., not
valid
Slide 11
Is the experiment reliable? Reliability = gives same results
when repeated If not reliable, a 2 nd variable must have been
changed (not controlled) Repeat experiment to show reliability
Slide 12
A pet owner wants to know which brand of puppy food produces
the healthiest puppies. So, she looks up studies comparing top
brands of puppy foods. What step of the scientific method is this?
Problem Hypothesis Research Experiment Data & Analysis
Conclusion
Slide 13
Juan wants to know whether cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
will produce the most fruit. He thinks the cherry will but decides
to plant 5 of each kind to find out. He makes sure they all get the
same amount of sun, water & fertilizer. What is the problem? Do
cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes produce the most fruit?
Slide 14
Juan wants to know whether cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
will produce the most fruit. He thinks the cherry tomatoes will but
decides to plant 5 of each kind to find out. He makes sure they all
get the same amount of sun, water & fertilizer. What is the
hypothesis? Cherry tomatoes will produce more fruit than grape
tomatoes.
Slide 15
Juan wants to know whether cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes
will produce the most fruit. He thinks the cherry tomatoes will but
decides to plant 5 of each kind to find out. He makes sure they all
get the same amount of sun, water & fertilizer. After 3 months,
the grape tomatoes produced an average of 1.2 lbs. per plant while
the cherries produced an average of 1 lb. each. What should be
Juans conclusion? Reject hypothesis or plan to test again next year
to see if there was something special about this years grape
tomatoes.
Slide 16
Variable that can change the results of an experiment Age Size
Individual differences Nutrients pH FoodHealth Fertilizer Air
pressure Oxygen Anything
Slide 17
Independent variable What you are testing Dependent variable
What you are measuring
Slide 18
Identify the independent variable & dependent variable in
the experiment: Does taking 1000mg of Vitamin C daily prevent the
common cold?
Slide 19
Identify the independent variable & dependent variable in
the experiment: Does playing music while studying lower test
scores?
Slide 20
Identify the independent variable & dependent variable in
the experiment: number of hours of light exposure on the rate of
seed growth? What are the effects of the
Slide 21
Controlled experiments have: 1.Experimental group 2.Control
group
Slide 22
In a controlled experiment: Experimental group Control group
The & are treated exactly the same except
Slide 23
Both groups Control group The group that gets the independent
variable is the: Experimental group
Slide 24
Identify the control & experimental groups in the following
experiment: A new drug is being tested for its effectiveness in
reducing tumor growth. Half the cancer patients being tested
receive the real drug while the other half receive a placebo, a
pill that looks the same but is only sugar. Which half is the
control & which the experimental? Experimental group = Control
group =
Slide 25
How many variables should you change at 1 time in an
experiment? A. Any number B. 3 C. 2 D. 1 If you change more than 1
variable, you wont know which 1 caused what you measured.
Slide 26
When evaluating an experiment look for: Is there a control
group? Is only 1 variable different between the experimental &
control groups? Is the sample size large enough to control for
individual differences?
Slide 27
Match the term to its description. A.Group that gets the
independent variable B.Group that does NOT get the independent
variable C.ANY factor that can change the outcome of an experiment
D.Factor you are testing (changing) E.Factor you are measuring
1.Experimental 2.Variable 3.Dependent variable 4.Independent
variable 5.Control
Slide 28
Bias is: Giving just 1 side of the story Trying to sway people
to agree with you or think what you want them to think
Slide 29
Bias in science may involve: Failing to report data unfavorable
to desired conclusion Designing experiment to give desired results
Designing graphs to influence interpretation No control group,
small sample size, changing 2 variables at once
Slide 30
Preventing bias in science: Giving a placebo (fake drug) to the
control group when testing new drug Designing experiment to give
honest results Designing graphs to accurately show data Control
group, large sample size, changing only 1 variables at once
Double-blind design when testing new drug (neither patients nor
researcher knows who got real drug )
Slide 31
Science Fair Topic Tips Does the topic interest you? Will it
interest others (judges)? Is it an actual experiment (testing
something)? --not a model or demonstration! Can you obtain needed
materials easily & quickly? --consider sample size! Can you
make actual measurements? Is it valid? --test what it claims to
test! Write 3 topic choices, each as a question (problem) --hand it
in ASAP only 1 person/team can do a particular topic