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The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method• Many scientists use a process known as
the scientific method to solve a science experiment. This is a five-step process with the same general pattern
Steps of the Scientific Method
1. Problem/QuestionProblem/Question: Develop a question or problem that can
be solved through experimentation.
Scientific Method
?QuestionHave a purpose
Steps of the Scientific Method
2. ResearchResearch:
Do as much research on your topic of interest so that you
know how to form hypothesis.
Scientific Method
?QuestionHave a purpose
ResearchGet as much info as you can
Steps of the Scientific Method
3. Formulate a HypothesisFormulate a Hypothesis: Predict a possible answer to
the problem or question.
Example: If soil temperatures rise, then plant growth will
increase.
Hypothesis:• A guess about the relationship between
variables. The statement that can be tested.
• If this _______________ then, __________.
Scientific Method
?QuestionHave a purpose
ResearchGet as much info as you can Educated
guess
hypothesis
Steps of the Scientific Method
4. ExperimentExperiment: Develop and follow a procedure.
Include a detailed materials list.
The outcome must be measurable (quantifiable).
Experiment• 4. Procedure for the experiment (test the
hypothesis)--The procedure is the step-by-step plan you follow in order to complete the experiment.
Experiment• The procedure is like a recipe. If your
procedure is written properly, everyone else who follows those directions will make the same observations or measurements as you did.
Scientific Method
?QuestionHave a purpose
ResearchGet as much info as you can Educated
guess
hypothesis
Step by step
experiment
Steps of the Scientific Method
5. Collect and Analyze ResultsCollect and Analyze Results: Modify the procedure if
needed.
Confirm the results by retesting.
Include tables, graphs, and photographs.
Scientific Method
?QuestionHave a purpose
ResearchGet as much info as you can Educated
guess
hypothesis
Step by step
experimentanalysis
Look at Data
Steps of the Scientific Method
6. ConclusionConclusion: Include a statement that accepts or
rejects the hypothesis.Make recommendations for
further study and possible improvements to the
procedure.
Scientific Method
?QuestionHave a purpose
ResearchGet as much info as you can Educated
guess
hypothesis
Step by step
experimentanalysis
Look at Data
Conclusion
Steps of the Scientific Method
7. Communicate the ResultsCommunicate the Results: Be prepared to present the project
to an audience.
Expect questions from the audience.
Retest• Perform the experiment again
• What would I change?
Outline• 1. Purpose• What is it I want to know or show? • 2. Research/Hypothesis• Find out as much as possible about your
topic• Make an educated guess about what you
think will happen• 3. Experiment• Create an experiment to test • Step by step
Outline continued• 4. Analyze Data• Record what happens during experiment• Is data reliable? Support hypothesis?• 5. Conclusion• Was your hypothesis correct?• Summarize the important parts of experiment
and the results
Experimental Research
• Investigations that involve variables
–Controlled Variables (constants):
–Dependent Variable:
–Independent Variable:
Control Group
The control group is exposed to the same conditions as the
experimental group, except for the variable being tested.
All experiments should have a control group.
Constants
The constants in an experiment
are all the factors that the
experimenter attempts to keep
the same.
Controlled Variables (constants):
• Variables that could change, but are not allowed to; also called constants.
• Factors that stays the same through all phases of an experiment.
Do you know the difference Do you know the difference between the independent between the independent and dependent variables?and dependent variables?
Independent Variable The independent, or
manipulated variable, is a factor that’s intentionally varied by the
experimenter.John is going to use 25g., 50g.,
100g., 250g., 500g. of sugar in his experiment.
Dependent Variable The dependent, or responding variable, is the factor that may change as a result of changes
made in the independent variable.
In this case, it would be the size of the loaf of bread.
Dependent Variable: • In an experimental investigation, what is
observed and measured; the data.
• Factors that will be measured in an experiment.