scientific method… …an organized approach to asking questions and making discoveries

Scientific Method…

…An organized approach to asking questions and making discoveries.

One dumb but effective way to remember Scientific Method!!!

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Observation Problem

Hypothesis Experiment

Data

Conclusion

Theory

Observations: Information gathered using the five senses

oror tools

Problem: A question one might ask based on the

observations that are made.

Hypothesis A possible explanation of the problem that we wish

to test. (it doesn’t have to be correct!!)

hypothesis.gif

ExperimentAn organized test of a hypothesis.

Data The results of experiments. Data can be expressed as numbers or descriptions.

Example:

The elephant is 3 meters tall.

Example:

Mr. Corey is smelly!

Conclusion

What has been learned from the experiment.

Conclusions are supported by data.

We can conclude that Mrs. Agar is officially the

funniest and best looking Biology teacher!!!

Data supports this.

Theory A broad explanation of natural events that

is strongly supported - time tested by many people - each time the same results are seen Example: The theory of gravity

Some other scientific method terms…

Observation – information gained by watching or examining something

Ex) Mrs. Agar is taller than Mrs. Procopio


Inference – a possible explanation based on an observation.

ex) The ground is wet, so it must have rained.


Control – What we compare our data against. (usually helps to show what we already know)

example – Plants grown with water only might be a control to test how well a fertilizer on other plants works


Independent Variable – When this changes, it results in change in the other variable.

I for “”Independent, I for “I control it!

Dependent Variable - That which changes as a result of a change in the ind. Variable.

D for “Dependent, D for “Data collected”


Constants (or Controlled Variables) - all of the factors that must be kept the same in all groups.

Example – (still testing a fertilizer) we would keep amount of sun, amount of liquid, type of plant, etc all the same.

Validity – What makes a good experiment?A good experiment should…. Be easily repeatable. Have a large sample size ex) There are many

subjects measured. Control for as many variables as possible. ex) sex, age, footwear, athletic ability, yesterday’s

sporting events…

Graphing Rules! Always put a title on your graph Use an even and appropriate scale The Independent Variable goes on the X-axis The Dependent Variable goes on the Y-axis Label each axis and include units Circle and connect all data points on a line graph

scientific method… …an organized approach to asking questions and making discoveries

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