The Scientific Method

What is the Scientific Method?

It is a series of steps that help to

answer some of life’s questions.

The 5 Steps of the

Scientific Method:

• Question

• Hypothesis

• Experiment

• Collect Data

• Conclusion

Step 1: Question

• What it is that you are trying to

find out about.

Research: Information about the ?

Example of a question!

Step 2: Hypothesis

• An educated guess

• Put it in an

“If….then…..because”

statement

Example of an hypothesis!

Step 3: Experiment

• Variables

• Materials

• Procedure

Variables: anything that can change

the results of an experiment• Test Variable (independent variable):

– the variable that will be changed by the person

• Dependent Variable:– The variable that changes as a result of the independent variable

• Constant Variables:

– the variables that will remain the same

Example of a test variable!

Example of constant variables!

Materials:

• Everything that you will need to

do the experiment.

Example of materials!

Procedure:

• Step by step how to do the

experiment.

• “Instructions”

Example of a procedure!

Step 4: Collect Data

• Table

– Organizes data, makes it easy to

read

• Graph

– Shows data in a visual way

Example of a table!

Example of a graph!

Step 5: Conclusion

• Summarizes the results.

• Was your hypothesis correct or incorrect. Why?

• Alternate hypothesisExample of a conclusion!

Example of an alternate hypothesis!

Acceptance of Ideas

• After conclusion, ideas are reviewed and tested by scientific community

– Peer Review • Good idea or needs more work

• Filters out results, must be valid to be published

– Publications (journals, meetings, books, etc.)

– After acceptance, idea becomes theory• May change due to conflicting information

Question:

Does Brand A or Brand B

laundry detergent work best for

grass stains?

Return!

Hypothesis:

If I test Brand A versus Brand B

detergent in getting out grass stains,

then I believe Brand A detergent will

work the best because it costs more,

and when you pay more you expect a

better product.

Return!

Test Variable:

Type of Detergent

(Brand A vs. Brand B

Return!

Constant Variables:

Return!

• amount of detergent

• time in washer

• type of stain

• etc.

Materials:

• washer

• detergent A and B

• grass stain

• measuring cup

• etc. Return!

Procedure:

1. Purchase Brand A and Brand B

laundry detergent

2. Put grass stain on 2 white clothes

3. Etc.

Return!

Table:

Return!

% of Stain Removed

Brand Trial 1 Trial 2

A 25 30

B 50 60

Graph:

Return!

0102030405060

% of Stain

Removed

1st

Trial

2nd

Trial

Trial #

Which Detergent is Best?

Brand A

Brand B

Conclusion:

After looking at the results of the experiment I

have found that Brand B removed a larger

percentage of the grass stain . Therefore my

hypothesis is incorrect. I believe it was incorrect

because I went under the presumption that items

that cost more are better products. I have found

that testing products can pay off.

Return!

Alternate Hypothesis:

If I test Brand B with lemon scent versus

Brand B without lemon scent then I

believe Brand B with lemon scent will

work better because lemon juice is

acidic and many acids are good cleaners.

Return!