Scientific Method (simplified)

Problem Observations Hypothesis Experiment Data Conclusion Retest

Problem

A problem is a question based

upon observations.

Observations

Gather information about the problem.

Hypothesis

A suggested solution to the

problem/question.

If…Then…

Experiment

A procedure to test the hypothesis.

Variable factors that can change

Control experiment without the variable

Variables Manipulating/ independent

variable variable that is deliberately changed by scientist

Responding/ dependent variable variable that is observed and that changes in response to the manipulated variable

Controlled variables variables that should remain the same in all the experiments

Control Group The control group acts as a reference point or

measuring stick to compare with the variable group. Any difference between the two groups can only be due to the one experimental factor that is being tested. Sometimes the control group is blind. This means that the members of the control group do not realize that they are not even part of the experimental group. This is when the placebo is used. Many drugs are tested in this fashion by pharmaceutical companies to remove the "placebo effect".

Data

Results of the experiment.

Can be:• Quantitative• Qualitative

Data Reporting Data can be

reported both in narrative form and through diagrams, tables and graphs.

Conclusion

The answer to the hypothesis,

once it has been tested is often called a

“theory”.

What’s the difference?

RetestIn order to verify

the results, experiments must be re-testable.

If they cannot be re-tested, then

they are outside the realm of

science.

For Example… What are some

things that cannot be tested by science?

Is science theistic, or a theistic?

Got it? Let’s see…Let’s say I wanted to see what type of

fertilizer would make my tomato plants produce the largest tomatoes.

What would be my independent variable?

What would be my dependent variable? What would be my controlled variables? What would be my control experiment?

More Practice… 1.An experiment was done to determine if the

time it takes to run a kilometer depends on the amount of exercise a person gets.

2.An experiment was done to determine if the higher the temperature of water, the faster an egg will cook.

3.An investigation was done to see if keeping the lights on for different amounts of time each day affects the number of eggs chickens laid.

4. An experiment was done to determine if the temperature of water in a lake varied at different depths.

And more… 6. An experiment was done to determine if the

amount of pollution produced by cars was affected by the amount of lead in the gasoline those cars used.7. An experiment was done to determine if lemon trees receiving the most water produce the largest lemons.

8. Five groups of rats are fed identical diets except for the amount of Vitamin A that they receive. Each group gets a different amount of Vitamin A. After 3 weeks on the diet, the rats are massed (weighed) to see if the amount of Vitamin A received has affected their mass.

And more… 12. Which fruit contains the most

Vitamin C? 13. The amount of aspirin in over the

counter medications. 14. Do adults have a faster reaction

time while sitting or standing? 15. The effect of surface area on the

altitude of kites.

Now design your own…

Design your own experiment. Identify all the components of the

scientific method that we discussed.