Download - Scientific Method
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Bellringer This car
will not start
1.What are some possible reasons the car will not start?
2.How would you test your guesses?
Scientific Method 1. Observation: Notice there is a
problem or question to be answered
2. Hypothesis: Scientific Explanation
3. Experiment: Test your hypothesis
4. Data: Collect information
-5. Analyze Data
6. Modify if needed or Communicate
Results
Experiment Control: used to compare experimental
results. Does not receive any experimental treatment/changes
Variable: Factor changed during experiment
Independent Variable: What is changed. Will affect the outcome of the experiment
Dependent Variable: Results of the experiment
Data
Qualitative Data: Express with
Description
-Quantitative Data: Express with
Numbers
Display in graphs: Bar, Line, Circle
X axis: Independent Variable
Y axis: Dependent Variable
Analyze Results 1. If results are consistent with
hypothesis, communicate and publish results.
2. If results are not consistent with hypothesis, modify experiment.
Conclusion 1. Experiment must be
repeatable.
2. Theory versus Law -Theory is subject to change as
more knowledge is gained. “Theory of Evolution”
-Laws are universally accepted to be true. “Law of Gravity”
Everyday ScienceScientific Method in everyday1. Car will not start =____________2. Out of gas? = _________________3. Adding gas and seeing if car
starts = ___________________________
4. Car doesn’t start = _____________
5. It wasn’t out of gas = _____________________________ (disproves hypothesis this time)
Tada! The Five Steps of the Scientific Method
Everyday ScienceScientific Method in everyday1. Car will not start =Observation
2. Out of gas? = Hypothesis
3. Adding gas and seeing if car starts = Experiment
4. Car doesn’t start = Data/Results
5. It wasn’t out of gas =Conclusion/ Revise (disproves hypothesis this time)
Partner Work: Write a hypothesis for each of the following research problems. Identify the dependent and
independent variable for each.
1. What effect does high temperature have on onion growth rates?
2. What effect does light have on plant growth?
3. What effect do different mouthwashes have on bad breath?
4. What effect does light have on plant growth?