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The Scientific MethodWhat is it?
Who uses it?Why should I care?
Everyone uses it everyday!• Yes! Even you!
It is a way to solve problems!
BIGor
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Any of these sound familiar?
Where are my shoes?
What class do I have next?
How do I solve that math problem?
Which deodorant works the best?
Which pain reliever works the best?
What is the cure for cancer?
There are SIX steps to the Scientific Method:
1._____________________
2._____________________
3._____________________
4._____________________
5._____________________
6._____________________
By following these steps __ ____, you will learn about your problem.
Notice the IN ORDER part. It is very important!
1. Problem/QuestionThis is the ____________________
______________ or the question you are trying to answer.
Try to narrow it down and ________
________.
2. Information/Research
Has someone tackled this problem before?
If not, __________________________about your question/problem:
books
magazines
experts
past experiences
2. Information/Researc
h___________________
Check date when site was last updated
Who put the page together?
Who is responsible for the information?
3. HypothesisThe hypothesis is an ________________
___________________________________
__________________________________.
This is what you think the answer is based upon the information you gathered
It should be in form “If (independent), then (dependent).
3. Hypothesis
Independent Variable
The independent, or manipulated, variable is __
________________________________________
________________________________________.
Dependent Variable
The dependent, or responding, variable is __
________________________________________
________________________________________.
This is the expected outcome!
4. ExperimentThe actual experiment is broken into two parts:
1. ____________
A list of equipment that you will need for the experiment.
2. ____________
A list of instructions that you need to follow for the experiment. (Should be detailed!)
4. ExperimentControl Group
In a scientific experiment, the control is ______
________________________________________.
The control group may be a “no treatment” or an “experimenter selected” group.
The __________________________________
________________________________________
________________________________________.
4. ExperimentConstants
The _____________ in an experiment are all of the factors that the experimenter attempts to keep the ______________.
Trials
Trials refer to the replicate groups that are exposed to the same conditions in an experiment.
You should do a minimum of ________________.
5. Observations/Analysis
Observations
Collection of information and data from the experiment.
It may be in the form of charts, graphs, or written work.
___________________________!
5. Observations/AnalysisAnalysis
This is an ____________________________.
It may involve analyzing your graphs or charts in order to look for patterns to help you answer your question.
It can even mean putting your measurements into a mathematical equation to get an answer.
6. Conclusion
What did you find the answer to your was?
It should state ________________________________________________________________________________________.
This does not necessarily mean you “proved” something--just that your analysis supports your hypothesis.
It is OK if it turns out your hypothesis is not correct. You learned!!!!!!
It may lead to another experiment.
Report Your Findings!
Something that is very important but not officially part of the scientific method is to report to others your findings.
You will help others learn!
Common Mistakes____________________________________________________________________________.
Do not rule out and ignore observations and data that do not support your hypothesis.
Let’s put our knowledge of the Scientific Method to
a realistic example that includes some of the
terms you’ll be needing to used and understand.
Problem/Question
John watches his grandmother bake bread. He asks her what makes the bread rise.
She explains that yeast releases a gas as it feeds on sugar.
Problem/Question
John wonders if the amount of sugar used in the recipe will affect the size of the bread loaf.
Information/Research
John researches the areas of baking and fermentation and tries to come up with a way to test his question.
HypothesisAfter talking with his teacher and conducting further research, John comes up with a hypothesis:
If more sure is added, then the bread will rise higher.
Variables
Independent Variable
John is going to use 25 g, 50 g, 100 g, 250 g, and 500 g of sugar in his experiment.
Dependent Variable
The size of the bread loaf.
Control Group
Because his grandmother always uses 50 g of sugar, John is going to use that amount in his control group.
Constantsother ingredients to the bread recipe
brand of ingredients
rise time
air temperature and humidity where the bread is rising
type of pan used
oven used
cooking time
Experiment
John writes out his materials and procedure for his experiment in his journal.
TrialsJohn is going to test each sugar variable 3 times.
Observations/Analysis
John comes up with a table so that he can record his data.
John gets all of his materials together and carries out his experiment.
Observations/Analysis
Amount of Sugar (g) 1 2 3 Average Size
(cm3)
25 768 744 761 756
50Control Group
1,296 1,188 1,296 1,260
100 1,188 1,080 1,080 1,116
250 672 576 588 612
500 432 504 360 432
Size of Bread Loaf (cm3)
Trials
Observations/Analysis
John examines his data and notices that his control group worked the best in his experiment, but not significantly better than 100 g of sugar.
Conclusion
John rejects his hypothesis, but decides to re-test using sugar amounts between 50 g and 100 g.
Observations/Analysis
Amount of Sugar (g) 1 2 3 Average Size
(cm3)
50Control Group
1,296 1,440 1,296 1,344
60 1,404 1,296 1,440 1,380
70 1,638 1,638 1,560 1,612
80 1,404 1,296 1,296 1,332
90 1,080 1,200 972 1,084
Size of Bread Loaf (cm3)
Trials
Conclusion
John finds that 70 g of sugar produces the largest loaf.
He accepts his new hypothesis.
