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Scientific Method

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Page 1: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Scientific Method

Page 2: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Steps in the Scientific Method

Observation State the

Problem Hypothesis Experiment Data Collection Conclusion Retest

Page 3: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Observations

Gathered through your

senses A scientist

notices something in their natural

world

Page 4: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Observations

An example of an observation

might be noticing that

many salamanders near a pond have curved, not straight,

tails

Page 5: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Hypothesis

A suggested solution to the problem.

Must be testable

Sometimes written as If…Then… statements

Predicts an outcome

Page 6: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Hypothesis

An example of a hypothesis might be that the salamanders have curved tails due to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live.

Page 7: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Experiment

A procedure to test the hypothesis

.

Page 8: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Experiment

Variable – factor in

the experiment

that is being tested

Page 9: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Experiment

A good or “valid”

experiment will only

have ONE variable!

Page 10: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Controls and Variables

Page 11: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Scientific Experiments Follow Rules

An experimenter changes one factor and observes or measures what happens.

Page 12: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

The Control Variable The experimenter makes a special effort to keep other factors constant so that they will not effect the outcome. (ex: length of time, temperature, locations)

Those factors are called control variables.

Page 13: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

What is the Purpose of a Control?

Controls are NOT being tested

Controls are used for COMPARISON

Page 14: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Other Variables The factor that is changed

is known as the independent variable.

The factor that is measured or observed is called the dependent variable.

Page 15: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Example of Controls & Variables

For example, suppose you want to figure out the fastest route to walk home from school.

You will try several different routes and time how long it takes you to get home by each one.

Since you are only interested in finding a route that is fastest for you, you will do the walking yourself.

Page 16: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

What are the Variables in Your Experiment?

Varying the route is the independent variable

The time it takes is the dependent variable

Keeping the same walker throughout makes the walker a control variable.

Page 17: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

1. Control Group2. Independent (Manipulated) Variable3. Dependent (Responding) Variable4. What should Smithers' conclusion be?5. How could this experiment be improved?

Smithers thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He creates two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an hour, Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B

made 2,113 stacks.

Page 18: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

One more thing… it is best to make several trials with each independent variable.

Page 19: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Valid Experiments

Page 20: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Remember: To be a Valid Experiment:

Two groups are required --- the control & experimental groups

There should be only one variable

Control Group: used as a comparison; receives the normal condition

Experimental Group: receives additional or alternate treatment

Page 21: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Data Results of

the experiment

May be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative

Page 22: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Data Must be

organized Can be

organized into charts, tables, or graphs

Page 23: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Types of Graphs

Bar Graph- used to compare sets of data

Pie Graph-based upon a whole or %

Line Graph- follows a trend or period of time

Page 24: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Graphing in Science

Graph ✔ List

1. Data in correct location2. Axes labeled with units (cm,

L, s, kg, etc.)3. Axes evenly spaced out4. Accurate title5. Correct graph type

Page 25: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Graphs

Page 26: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment
Page 27: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Conclusion

The answer to the hypothesis based on the data obtained from the experiment

Page 28: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

RetestIn order to verify the results,

experiments must be retested.Should be complete at

least 3 times to obtain average

data.

Page 29: Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method Observation Observation State the Problem State the Problem Hypothesis Hypothesis Experiment Experiment

Solving a Problem1)Identify a Problem2) State Observations

about the problem3) Form a Hypothesis

about the problem (if…then…)

4) Design an Experiment to test the hypothesis

5) Collect Data6) Form a Conclusion7) Retest