The Scientific Method

• The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate a natural occurrence.

We shall take a closer look at

these steps and the terminology you will need to

understand before you start

a science project or do a

laboratory exercise.

Problem/QuestionObservation/Research

Formulate a HypothesisExperiment

Collect and Analyze ResultsConclusion

Communicate the Results

Steps of the Scientific Method

Problem/QuestionProblem/Question: Develop a question or problem that can

be solved through experimentation.

Steps of the Scientific Method

Observation/ResearchObservation/Research: Make observations and research

your topic of interest.

Steps of the Scientific Method

Formulate a HypothesisFormulate a Hypothesis: Predict a possible answer to the

problem or question.

Example: If soil temperatures rise, then plant growth will

increase.

Steps of the Scientific Method

ExperimentExperiment: Develop and follow a procedure.

Include a detailed materials list.

The outcome must be measurable.

Steps of the Scientific Method

Collect and Analyze ResultsCollect and Analyze Results: Modify the procedure if

needed.

Confirm the results by retesting.

Include tables, graphs, and photographs.

Steps of the Scientific Method

ConclusionConclusion: Include a statement that accepts or rejects the

hypothesis.Make recommendations for

further study and possible improvements to the

procedure.

Steps of the Scientific Method

Communicate the ResultsCommunicate the Results: Be prepared to present the project

to an audience.

Expect questions from the audience.

John watches his grandmother

bake bread. He ask his

grandmother what makes the

bread rise.She explains that

yeast releases a gas as it feeds

on sugar (fermentation).

Problem/Question

John wonders if the amount of sugar used in the recipe will affect the size of the bread

loaf?

Caution with Terms

Be careful how you use effect and affect.

Effect is usually a noun and affect, a verb.

“ The effect of sugar amounts on the rising of bread.”

“How does sugar affect the rising of bread?”

Problem/QuestionActivity:

Come up with a problem or question you might have in your own life.

Answer these questions:

1)What materials are available?

2)What action can be observed?

3)What can I change to get a

different action?

4)What ways can I measure a response to the change?

Ex. My car won’t start

Problem/QuestionGeneral topic: Plants

Answer these questions:

1)What materials are available?

Soil, Plants, Fertilizer, Water, Light/Heat,

2)What action can be observed?

Plants grow

3)What can I change to get a different action?

Plants spacing, kind, amount of water, location of hole

4)What ways can I measure a response to the change?

Count the number of leaves, Measure the height, Weigh the fruit produced

Observation/ResearchJohn researches the

areas of baking and fermentation and tries to come up

with a way to test his question.

He keeps all of his information on this topic in a journal.

Observation/ResearchActivity:Make a short list of the things you already

know about that topic.

Ex. 1.Cars need gas2.Cars need electricity from the battery3.Cars need oil

Formulate a Hypothesis

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is an educated guess about the relationship between the

independent and dependent variables.

Do you know the difference Do you know the difference between the independent and between the independent and

dependent variables?dependent variables?

Independent Variable• The independent, or

manipulated variable, is a factor that’s intentionally varied by the experimenter.

• John is going to use 25g., 50g., 100g., 250g., 500g. of sugar in his experiment.

Dependent VariableThe dependent, or responding variable, is the factor that may change as a result of changes

made in the independent variable.

In this case, it would be the size of the loaf of bread.

Formulate a HypothesisActivity:Develop a Hypothesis

Ex. If I put gas in my car,then it will start.

Experiment

John comes up with a procedure and list of needed

materials.

John discusses with his teacher how to determine the control

group.

Control GroupIn a scientific experiment, the control is the group that serves as the standard of comparison.

The control group may be a “no treatment" or an “experimenter

selected” group.

Control Group

The control group is exposed to the same conditions as the

experimental group, except for the variable being tested.

All experiments should have a control group.

Control Group

Because his grandmother always used 50g. of sugar in her recipe, John is going to use that amount in his

control group.

Constants

John remembers to keep all other factors the same so that any observed changes in the bread can be attributed to the variation in the amount of sugar.

Constants

The constants in an experiment are all the factors that the

experimenter attempts to keep the same.

What would be some constants in this experiment?

Project Design

• Get someone’s opinion on your experimental design before you begin.

• Look at all the variables. Independent as well as dependent

• Open ended questions are a way of allowing for critical thinking to begin, but sometimes we start with the basics. Following directions are essential when doing a lab.

ExperimentActivity:

Develop a materials list and identify a control group.

Ex. Materials: 5 gallon gas can, 5 gallons gasoline, money to buy gasoline, a ride to the gas station

Control group: Not doing anything to the car.

ExperimentActivity:

Develop a procedure for your experiment.

Procedure: First, I will call my friend Bill and ask for a ride to the gas station. I will take the five gallon gas can and fill it with five gallons of gasoline at the pump. After paying the gas station owner for the gasoline, I will get a ride back to my car and put the gasoline in the tank. Once the gasoline is in the tank, I will attempt to restart the car.

Collect and Analyze Results

Activity:Make up realistic data.

Ex.

Action performed

Did nothing

Added gas

Pumped the

peddle

Pumped the

peddle

Result Didn’t start

Didn’t start

Almost started

Started

Conclusions

Activity:Draw your own conclusions

Ex. My hypothesis was supported by the data. It shows that after adding gas the car started.

• A graphic organizer is an instructional tool used to visually illustrate a topic.

• describe a central idea

• describe the stages of something–the life cycle of a

primate

–a sequence of events

• time lines–showing historical

events or ages

–degrees of something

• Compare/Contrast– How are they similar? – How are they different?

Name 1 Name 2

Attribute 1

Attribute 2

Attribute 3

• Problem/Solution Outline– What was the problem?– What attempts were

made to solve the

problem?– Did those attempts

succeed?

• Network Tree– show causal information (causes of poverty),– a hierarchy (types of insects)– branching procedures (the circulatory system)

• Cycle– weather phenomena– the life cycle– water cycle