Scientific Method and Scientific Testing

We use the scientific method to solve problems or answer questions.

Steps of the Scientific Method

• 1. Identify your problem/question.- Problem must be able to be tested

scientifically.

• 2. Research your problem– Scientists share information – Use reliable sources.– Identify bias in your research

• 3. Create a hypothesis.– An educated guess.– Usually an “if” “then”– Always based on research!

• 4. Test your hypothesis scientifically

Testing your hypothesis

• Test as many trials as possible.• Quantify your data (use numbers)• Make everything in your test constant (the same)• Test data should be organized if possible

Creating your test• Must contain an independent variable– Also known as manipulated variable– Scientist changes this

• Independent changes the dependent variable– Also known as responding variable– Changes based on independent variable

• Tests may contain a control group– group separated from the rest of the experiment where the

independent variable being tested cannot influence the results

– Often given a “placebo”, intended to deceive the recipient

• 5. Analyze your data– Don’t be biased!– Identify flaws in your test.

• 6. Make your conclusion– Often, this identifies a new problem or changes your

hypothesis. – Share results so that they can be retested,

confirmed, etc.– Share results with others – scientific knowledge

builds!

Correlations

• Correlations show cause and effect between two values.

• If changing one value affects another value, there is a correlation between the two.

Positive Correlation

As one factor increases, the other factor increases.

Or. As one factor decreases, The other also decreases.

Negative Correlation

As one factor increases,The other decreases.

Or. As one factor decreases,The other one increases.

No Correlation

• There is no connection between one value increasingAnd the other value.

How I want you to answer!

• Name, describe and draw the correlation

• Name it as positive negative or none.

• Describe how one factor affects the other

• Draw the chart that shows the correlation