Scientific MethodScientific Method

StepsSteps

1.1. State the ProblemState the Problem

2.2. Gather InformationGather Information

3.3. HypothesisHypothesis

4.4. Test the Hypothesis (Procedure)Test the Hypothesis (Procedure)

5.5. Analysis of DataAnalysis of Data

6.6. Make ConclusionsMake Conclusions

ProblemProblem

Many times this comes about just Many times this comes about just by asking by asking questionsquestions..

Scientists Scientists observeobserve something that something that is reoccurring and ask questions is reoccurring and ask questions about it.about it.

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:During the first five days of school, During the first five days of school, Susan was late to my class all five Susan was late to my class all five days……days……

Gather InformationGather Information

Ask Ask questionsquestions concerning the concerning the problemproblem

Find out as much pertaining Find out as much pertaining information as possible.information as possible.

Use your senses……..Use your senses……..

ExampleExample

I asked Susan, “What class are you I asked Susan, “What class are you coming from?” She replied “Cafeteria.”coming from?” She replied “Cafeteria.”

I asked Susan, “Why are you always I asked Susan, “Why are you always late?” She replied, “This is my third late?” She replied, “This is my third time in the cafeteria. I wait to eat. time in the cafeteria. I wait to eat. When I am done eating, the bell rings When I am done eating, the bell rings and I have to throw everything away. and I have to throw everything away. Then, by the time I get up the main Then, by the time I get up the main stairwell, it’s packed and I end up late.”stairwell, it’s packed and I end up late.”

Form a HypothesisForm a Hypothesis

It is a possible explanation for a It is a possible explanation for a problem using what you know and problem using what you know and what you observed.what you observed.

The four things you need in a The four things you need in a hypothesis are:hypothesis are:– Starts with “If”Starts with “If”– Includes explanation of the problemIncludes explanation of the problem– Includes a “then” partIncludes a “then” part– Only changes one variableOnly changes one variable

ExampleExample

If Susan throws away her garbage If Susan throws away her garbage beforebefore the bell rings, then she will the bell rings, then she will be on time for class.be on time for class.

Test the HypothesisTest the Hypothesis

Some can be tested by making Some can be tested by making observationsobservations..

Others can be tested by building Others can be tested by building modelsmodels

An experiment tests the effect of An experiment tests the effect of one thing on another using one thing on another using controlledcontrolled conditions. conditions.

ExampleExample

Ask her to throw away her Ask her to throw away her garbage before the bell rings and garbage before the bell rings and observe her.observe her.

Analysis of DataAnalysis of Data

Look over the Look over the informationinformation gatheredgathered

Organize the informationOrganize the information AnalyzeAnalyze information….ask information….ask

yourself if it makes sense.yourself if it makes sense.

ExampleExample

Did she make it on time?Did she make it on time? If she did, did she follow the If she did, did she follow the

procedureprocedure??

ConclusionConclusion

Based on your Based on your analysisanalysis of of datadata, you , you decide whether or not your hypothesis decide whether or not your hypothesis is is supportedsupported..

If your experiment If your experiment doesdoes support your support your hypothesis, hypothesis, repeatrepeat the experiment the experiment several times.several times.

If your experiment If your experiment does notdoes not support support your hypothesis, your hypothesis, changechange your your hypothesis.hypothesis.

ExampleExample

If the hypothesis about Susan If the hypothesis about Susan worked, have her worked, have her repeatrepeat it and she it and she shouldn’t be late to class anymore.shouldn’t be late to class anymore.

If the hypothesis about Susan was If the hypothesis about Susan was not supportednot supported, create a , create a newnew hypothesis and test that.hypothesis and test that.

For example, avoid the main For example, avoid the main stairwell.stairwell.