The Scientific Method

What is the Scientific Method?

The scientific method is the basic method, guide, and system by which we originate, refine, extend, and apply knowledge in all fields.

What is the Scientific Method?The way we (scientists) do things.

• Scientists have a unique way of looking at the world.

•They want to know more about their world.•They follow a set of rules for governing their

research

While the method was largely developed by scientists, it is also a general method for all domains. Thus it is:

The Complete Method of Problem Solving and Decision

Making for All Fields

Steps to the Scientific Method

Problem / Question• The scientific method starts when you ask a

question about something that you observe: How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where?

• In order for the scientific method to answer the question, it must be about something that you can measure, preferably with a number.

ResearchSources include:- Past relevant experiments- Encyclopedias- Scientific Journals- RELIABLE Online Resources

Must be in your OWN WORDSProper citing is important! Give credit where it is due

HypothesisMust be in IF-THEN-BECAUSE format!

TESTABLE

Independent Variable:The condition be studied. It is controlled by the

experimenter.ex. Water

Dependent Variable:The condition affected by the ind. variable. It can’t

be controlled by the experimenter.ex. Plant Growth

Control: The condition that is represented in a normal

situation

Constructing Your “If” Statement

1. Start your sentence with the word “If”2. Write down one of the variables3. Connect statement with one of the following:

is related tois affected by

Causes 4. Write down the other variable

Constructing Your “Then” Statement- Write the word “then” (following the “if” section)- Make a comment on the relationship between

those two variables.Ex. If section:

If water is related to plant growth,

Ex. Then section:then the more plants are watered, the

taller they will grow.

Hypothesis Exercises

1. Chocolate may cause pimples.2. Salt in soil may affect plant growth.3. Plant growth may be affected by the color of the

light.4. Bacterial growth may be affected by temperature.5. Ultra violet light may cause skin cancer.6. Temperature may cause leaves to change color.

Test theHypothesis

Experiments test yourhypothesis.

The best experimentaldesign is “controlled.”

Controlled Experimentation

In most experiments there is a control group andexperimental groups. The two groups are as similar as possible, but the treatment group is the one that experiences the variable that you’re studying.

Control Group – group in which the independent variable is either eliminated or set at a standard value. You MUST have a control group in order to be able to measure the effects of your independent variable upon the dependent variable.

Experimental Group(s) – groups which are being exposed to the independent variable.

Collect DataThe results of anexperiment are called“data.”

Scientists use theirfive senses to collectdata.

Collect DataScientists often use specialized equipment to help them collect their data.

Analyze Data

Now that you have yourdata, you must make sense of it.

Scientists use:- Charts- Tables- Graphs- Equations

What does the data mean?

There are two options:

The evidence supports the hypothesis.

The evidence is inconsistent with the hypothesis.

What do you do?If the data is inconsistent with the hypothesis, you revise your hypothesis in light of your newinformation. Then you design a new experiment.

If the data supports the hypothesis, you repeat the experiment several times to make sure you did everything right.

OK, I’ve got it all right.Now what?

Tell everyone, silly!Scientists publishtheir findings toshare what they’vediscovered withother scientists (andto brag a little, too.)