The Scientific MethodWhat is it???A process (a series of steps) that is

used to find the answers to questions about the natural world around us.

Humans have always been curious and asked questions or tried to solve problems.

Why is the sky blue?How do birds fly?

What’s the quickest way to walk to school?

The Steps of the Scientific Method

• P• O• H• E• C• SA mnemonic device to help you

remember the steps (like PEMDAS)

The Steps of the Scientific Method

• P = Problem/Question to be answered

• O = Observation/Research• H = Hypothesis• E = Experiment• C = Conclusion• S = Sharing

ProblemProblem or Question to be answered

Good Ex. Will fertilizer make plants grow taller? (measurable)

Poor Ex. Will fertilizer make plants grow better? (not measurable)

Observations/Research

Can use ALL 5 senses*sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste

Research what is already known

Hypothesis

A testable statementsometimes written as “If…then”

Ex. If I add fertilizer, then the plant will grow taller

Can also be written as a statementEx. Cold temperatures decrease the

number of cricket chirps

ExperimentTests the HypothesisMaterials, Procedure, Data Collection2 Groups

Experimental Group-receives special treatment

Control Group-receives no special treatmentUsed as a COMPARISON!The more trials the better!!

Needs to be reproducible!!!

What are variables?What are variables?What are variables?What are variables?

Or what changes during Or what changes during experiments….experiments….

Independent VariablesIndependent Variables

• What is tested by the scientist• What is changed by the scientist• Also known as manipulated

variables.

Dependent VariableDependent Variable

• What is observed• What is measured• The effect caused by the

independent variable.“Depends on the independent

variable”• The data• Also called responding variables

Controlled VariablesControlled Variables

• Things that could change but don’t• Kept constant (the same) by

scientists• These allow for a fair test.

ConclusionBased on the data, either your

hypothesis is supported or rejected

“The data supports my hypothesis” or “The data does not support my hypothesis”

Share Results

Communicate results

Scientific journal- Peer reviewedSymposium – present research

findings

Remember POHECS!

PProblem

Remember POHECS!

OObservation/Research

Remember POHECS!

HHypothesis

Remember POHECS!

CConclusion

Remember POHECS!

SSharing!

The End!