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Scientific MethodScientific Method
Identify the ProblemIdentify the Problem Finding out what you want answered or what problem Finding out what you want answered or what problem
you want to solveyou want to solve Make sure the question is testable –eliminate questions Make sure the question is testable –eliminate questions
that can not be measuredthat can not be measured Written in question formWritten in question form Only one variable tested at a timeOnly one variable tested at a time Questions begin with what, why, how, whenQuestions begin with what, why, how, when
ex/ How does acid rain effect plant growth?ex/ How does acid rain effect plant growth?
non ex/ What is Ms. Laudemann’s favorite ice non ex/ What is Ms. Laudemann’s favorite ice cream?cream?
Research the ProblemResearch the Problem
Identify the question then start gathering Identify the question then start gathering and organizing informationand organizing informationWays to researchWays to research
What do you already know (past experienceWhat do you already know (past experience ObservationsObservations TextbooksTextbooks Encyclopedias other reference booksEncyclopedias other reference books Professional JournalsProfessional Journals Science MagazinesScience Magazines InternetInternet Data BasesData Bases
Make sure sources of information are reliablewho is the authorlast updatedlinks or other sources that support information
Hypothesis/PredictionHypothesis/Prediction
An expectation of what will be observedAn expectation of what will be observedA forecast about what will happenA forecast about what will happenBased on prior knowledge and data that Based on prior knowledge and data that
has been collectedhas been collectedMake sure the hypothesis can be testedMake sure the hypothesis can be tested
How do you make accurate How do you make accurate predictions?predictions?
Make observations. Recall past Make observations. Recall past experiencesexperiences
Use your knowledge to search for patterns Use your knowledge to search for patterns in data. Make inferencesin data. Make inferences
Make predictions about future eventsMake predictions about future eventsTest those predictions to determine validityTest those predictions to determine validityAfter testing, revise predictions if After testing, revise predictions if
necessarynecessary
HypothesisHypothesis
Tentative explanation for an observationTentative explanation for an observation Inference about why something might Inference about why something might
happenhappenWritten in an If… Then…. Because… Written in an If… Then…. Because…
statementstatementThe results of an experiment cannot prove The results of an experiment cannot prove
that a hypothesis is correct, rather the that a hypothesis is correct, rather the results either support or not support results either support or not support (refute) the hypothesis(refute) the hypothesis
If….. Then…. Because…If….. Then…. Because…
If (independent variable) what you If (independent variable) what you changed on purposechanged on purpose
Then (dependent variable) what you will Then (dependent variable) what you will measuremeasure
Because - Your inference (explanation) of Because - Your inference (explanation) of why you think it will happen.why you think it will happen.
ExampleExample
Independent Variable – length of paper Independent Variable – length of paper thing bladesthing blades
Dependent Variable – rotational speedDependent Variable – rotational speed
Design the ExperimentDesign the Experiment Identify the VariablesIdentify the Variables
IndependentIndependent DependentDependent ControlsControls
Set up the Control and Experimental GroupSet up the Control and Experimental GroupWrite a ProcedureWrite a Procedure
Short easy stepsShort easy steps Start with action wordStart with action word No pronouns (I, you, we, us, etc…)No pronouns (I, you, we, us, etc…) Materials listMaterials list
Operational Definition – how you will Operational Definition – how you will measuremeasure
Perform the ExperimentPerform the ExperimentMake the test FairMake the test FairAccurate/ PreciseAccurate/ PreciseObservationsObservations
QuantitativeQuantitative Qualitative Qualitative
Operational DefinitionOperational DefinitionRecord any problems/issuesRecord any problems/issuesMetric MeasurementsMetric MeasurementsCreate Data TableCreate Data Table
Analyze the DataAnalyze the Data Data TablesData Tables
Organize and record measurementsOrganize and record measurements TitleTitle Columns and rowsColumns and rows LabelsLabels
GraphsGraphs Convert data sets into pictures, which are often easier to Convert data sets into pictures, which are often easier to
understand and analyze for patternsunderstand and analyze for patterns Line GraphLine Graph
Change over timeChange over time Circle GraphCircle Graph
Percentage of wholePercentage of whole Bar GraphBar Graph
Compare and contrast dataCompare and contrast data
Analyze the DataAnalyze the Data
Look for Patterns in the DataLook for Patterns in the DataCompare and ContrastCompare and Contrast
Look for similarities and differencesLook for similarities and differencesCause and Effect RelationshipsCause and Effect RelationshipsDo you need more information (research0Do you need more information (research0Look for outliers or problemsLook for outliers or problems
Draw ConclusionDraw Conclusion Was hypothesis supported or refuted?Was hypothesis supported or refuted? What is the evidence to support or refute?What is the evidence to support or refute? Is there any science background information to Is there any science background information to
help support or refute your answer? help support or refute your answer? Where there any problems or issues with your Where there any problems or issues with your
experiment that need to be solvedexperiment that need to be solved What other experiments could help you gather What other experiments could help you gather
more information?more information? Why, How, When, Where, - be able to explain.Why, How, When, Where, - be able to explain.
ConclusionsConclusions
Three Paragraph FormatThree Paragraph Format 11stst paragraph paragraph
Your results, hypothesis supported or refuted what is the Your results, hypothesis supported or refuted what is the evidence?evidence?
22ndnd paragraph paragraph Problems/issuesProblems/issues Things to watch out for in this experimentThings to watch out for in this experiment What did you controlWhat did you control
33rdrd paragraph paragraph What other experiments or future research could help you What other experiments or future research could help you
learn more?learn more?
Communicate ResultsCommunicate ResultsLab ReportLab Report
TitleTitle AbstractAbstract HypothesisHypothesis Materials ListMaterials List ProcedureProcedure ObservationsObservations Data TablesData Tables GraphsGraphs 3 Paragraph Conclusion3 Paragraph Conclusion