Scientific Method

Scientific Method:

Ask a question (or a problem): What is it you want to find out?

Scientific Method: Form a Hypothesis (educated

guess)-What you expect to happen

It’s a prediction-What you think will happen

“If...then” format-Cause and Effect Relationship

Cause Effect

If ____________ then_________ .

+ verb + verb

Scientific Method: • Gather materials.

• Experiment - test the hypothesis.

Carry out and experiment using a procedure (step by step)

Variable:-Thing that is being changed in an experiment.-The opposite of a variable is called a Constant.

#1. Independent variable (or IV or manipulated variable or the cause):

The part of the experiment that is changed on purpose. In a good experiment, only 1 thing is changed on purpose at a time.

#2. Dependent variable (or DV or responding variable or effect):

The part of the experiment that is affected by the IV. It is the results of the experiment.

Scientific Method:Make observations:

Organize your information into some type of table and/or graph.

Scientific Method: Analyze the results

The outcomes of theexperiment presented in

graphs or tables

Scientific Method: • Draw Conclusions -

Answer the question/problem you started with.

• Communicate ResultsWritten or oral informationused to inform others aboutyour findings

CER Conclusion

• Claim: Answer the question you began with. ONLY the answer, not why or how.

• Evidence: What data from lab helps prove your claim?

• Reasoning: What is the scientific explanation for your claim and evidence? Why were your results what they were?