scientific method overview seven steps: 1.choose problem 2.research problem 3.develop hypothesis...
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Scientific Method Overview• Seven steps:
1. Choose problem
2. Research problem
3. Develop hypothesis
4. Write procedures
5. Test hypothesis
6. Organize data
7. State conclusions
Choose a Problem• What do you want
to learn more about?
• Ask a specific question
• Ex 1:– Do plants need
water to grow?• Ex: 2:
– Is Mr. Pullins the best teacher of all time?
Research Your Problem• How can you
find the answer to your question?
• Research!– Library– Internet– Adults– Your own
background knowledge!
Develop a Hypothesis• What do you
think the answer to your question will be?
• Hypothesis-– A statement
that tries to explain a relationship between two variables
THEThey’re sisters…
Still Developing Hypothesis…• Use the words
IF and THEN• Ex 1:
– IF you water a plant more, THEN it will grow taller
• Ex 2:– IF Mr. Pullins is
your teacher, THEN you will become a genius!
IF IF IF IF IF IF IF IF THEN
THEN THEN
Still Developing Hypothesis…• What is a variable
again?• Variable:
– Anything that can be changed or manipulated during an experiment
• Ex 1:– Type of plant,
amount of water, sun exposure, etc.
• Ex 2:– Time of day with Mr.
Decker vs. Pullins, how much time spent, etc
2A + 3 = 72B + 3 = 72C + 3 = 72D + 3 = 72E + 3 = 7
Write Procedures• How will you test
your hypothesis?
1. List materials
2. List each thing that you will do• Number each step• Write down
EVERYTHING you will do
• Anyone should be able to replicate your experiment
Test Your Hypothesis• Obtain materials• Conduct experiment• Follow your
procedure… exactly• Be sure to control
your variables • Variable-
– Anything that can change or vary during an experiment
Controlling Variables• You need to know
exactly what you are testing…
• …You have to control EVERYTHING
• Three different types:1. Independent
variable2. Dependant variable3. Control variables
Independent Variable• Independent variable-
– The variable that you are changing or testing
• Example hypothesis:– IF you water a plant
more, THEN it will grow taller
– Water is the independent variable
– It will always be the IF portion of your hypothesis
Dependent Variable• Dependent variable-
– Changes in response to the independent variable
– The variable you are measuring
• Example hypothesis:– IF you water a plant more,
THEN it will grow taller– Plant height is the
dependent variable– It will always be the THEN
portion of your hypothesis
Control Variables• Control variables-
– Variables that are unchanged throughout the experiment
• Example hypothesis:– IF you water a plant
more, THEN it will grow taller
– Controlled variables:• Soil, age of plant, type of
plant, amount of sunlight, etc..
Organize Data• Organize data
into the following: – Tables– Charts– Graphs
• Draw pictures• Take photos
State Conclusions• What did you see,
hear, smell, taste, etc?– Qualitative data
• Data that can’t be measured
• This baby has perfect teeth
• What does your numerical data show you?– Quantitative data
• Data that can be measured
• This baby is 86 cm long
State Conclusions• Decide what your
data tells you about your hypothesis
• Decide how your hypothesis might change based on your results
• Communicate your results with others!