Scientific Method InformationDefinitions that you will need:

1st Word (1)--Observation: to use the senses to gather information.

This means all your senses—sight, smell, hear, touch, & taste (but we do not use this very often in a science lab)

More words for your list:Scientific Method ControlIndependent variableHypothesisScientific dataPredictionExperimentDependent variableConclusionFact

What does the Scientific Method do for you?Allows you to think like a scientist!

This is important to help you understand and get your home-work done.

If you are using science thinking then you will automatically ask questions and then explore to find the answers.

How do we observe?With all five senses—seeing, smelling,

touching, tasting, and hearing.

Our observations help us to:Find the answers and come up with a

5th word--Hypothesis—this is an educated guess

What is a prediction? (7th word)A statement or claim that a particular event

will occur in the future.

Many predictions do notcome true. Some are basedon what people consider facts but others are simplya person’s opinion.

So what is the definition of Scientific Method? (2nd word)A step by step process that scientists have

developed to help them solve problems and test new ideas.

The steps are: Glue in your sheet1. Define the problem/ask a question.2. Gather information/research.3. Develop a hypothesis.4. Do an experiment.5. Observe and analyze the data collected.6. State a conclusion.

Is your 1st hypothesis always correct?Nope—not always --that’s alright—try

again.

The parts of an experiment:2nd word-Control: This is the part of the

experiment that you do not change. It has nothing done to it so you can be sure that your independent variable is actually making a difference.

4th word-independent variable:This is the factor that the scientist isin charge of. You decide what it is. It is the factor that may change the resultsof your experiment.

Remember with independent variable:This is the factor in your experiment that YOU control.

Therefore– the *dependent variable( 9th word) results and or observations will depend upon the independent variable.

*Dependent variable-the variable whose results will depend upon the independent variable.

Example—if I decide to add 100 ml of water as the independent variable, my results would not be the same as if I decide to add 200 ml of water for an experiment that is timing how long it took for the water in the container to completely change to water vapor—keep in mind that the temperature has been preset for me and was part of my instructions.

To keep the variables straight:Independent variable—What I changeDependent variable—What I observeControlled variables—What I keep the same

and has no variable.

You need to memorize the differences in the variables.

What exactly is an experiment—this is your 8th word.Experiment: A method of investigating

casual relationships among variables.

During, and at the end of your experiment you will:Collect scientific data-(6th word):This is information-often in numbers that you

will observe from your experiment. It can be observations of changes of color or smell or make bubbles, etc.

The Conclusion -10th wordYou have looked at your data and analyzed it.

Often you will have a graph or a table of information that will lead you to see the results which are also often called the *conclusion.

*It is the answer to your question from your data and experiment; The findings of your experiment.

What are facts—11th wordA statement that can be checked and

confirmed—often can be proven again.

Do facts ever change? Sometimes-----but---

Only when new information is discovered to prove the old fact wrong. Most facts stay the same.

So—there are all your words that relate to the Scientific Method.Be sure you memorize the steps because you

WILL see this used all through your science education.

1. Create a question.2. Do your background research.3. Form a hypothesis4. Test the hypothesis with an experiment5. Record and analyze your data.6. State your conclusion

Accept or reject your hypothesis Repeat the experiment.

Remember the scientific method steps: