the scientific method. many scientists use a process known as the scientific method to solve a...

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.