SCIENTIFIC

METHOD

What is the Scientific Method?

*This is a way to answer questions & solve problems

*Order of the steps can vary- not always the same

*Can use all steps or just some- it depends on the investigation!

*Steps can be repeated

Asking A Question- Observations

Why?

It helps to focus the purpose of the investigation.

When?

After making many observations.

What is an observation?Observations are using the senses to gather information.

(EX: The sky is blue. Cotton balls are soft.)

*Must be accurate and recorded.

*Can be measurements made with tools.(EX: stopwatch for time, ruler for length)

When are observations made?Any time during an investigation!

A possible explanation or answer to a question is a hypothesis.

What makes a good hypothesis?

1. based on observations and prior knowledge

2. can be tested- an experiment can be done

Forming a Hypothesis

An non-testable hypothesis is not wrong. It just can’t be supported or disproved. There’s just not enough information. There CAN be more than one hypothesis for an investigation but each one must be tested.

Predictions

A hypothesis is an educated guess..

A prediction is made before you test a hypothesis.

*It is what you think will happen *It states a cause & effect *It is written in an “If… then…” format

Each hypothesis can have more than one predictions.

Testing the Hypothesis

*Test a hypothesis by doing an experiment

*Factor- anything in an experiment that can

influence the outcome

Control- test one factor at a time by having 2 or more groups

control group

*Has all the standard factors for the experiment; what is considered the normal set

experimental group

*Has the same factors as the control group except for one- the variable.

*variable- one factor that differs in a controlled experiment

Collecting Data

*Data - pieces of information gotten through experimentation

1. Keep clear, accurate records2. Use only actual observations (data), not

opinions

*The more times an experiment is done, the more data there is to support or disprove the hypothesis

Analyzing Results

Why?

Want to find out if the experiment (test) supports the hypothesis

How?

Organize and summarize using:

*Calculations

*Tables

*Graphs

Drawing Conclusions

Decide whether results from experiment

support the hypothesis

It is OK to be wrong!!!

Review

How many variables can be tested?

What part of an experiment can change?

What is one way to communicate your results?

In an experiment your hypothesis has to be ______.

What effect does crushing a sugar cube have on dissolving rate?

What effect does the amount of light have on plant growth?

Write a hypothesis for each question.

Jordan is doing a project on the effects of music on the growth of tomatoes. He has two plants, A and B, that he grows in a window and give the same amount of water. Plant A hears classical music using headphones attached to the soil. Throughout the growth period, Jordan counts the number of tomatoes produced by each plant.

Plant A = 35 tomatoes Plant B = 55 tomatoes

Which is the control group?What is the independent variable? Dependent variable?Write a hypothesis that Jordan could use.What should Jordan’s conclusion be?