What Every Scientist Should Know

The Scientific Method

Scientific Method

Scientific Method - a process that is used to find answers to questions about the world around us.

Steps of the Scientific Method

Identify the problem

Do an experiment

Form a hypothesis

Analyze the data

Draw a conclusion

Ask a question(Yes/no)

Educated guess

Follow procedure

List results (graph/chart)

Answer question. Hypothesis right?

Why/why not? What can change?

Scientific Method Flow Chart

Components to the Scientific Method

Variable - any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types.a. Independent Variable (I.V.) – what is changedb. Dependent Variable (D.V.) – what is observed from change c. Controlled Variable – what is kept the same

Example1. Do plants grow faster in sunlight or artificial light?

2. I think plants grow faster in sunlight. 3. a. Put seeds from 2 plants into pots – 1 in the sun

and 1 under indoor light.b. Give each plant food and water each day for 21 days (3 weeks).c. Record the height of each plant every day for the 21 days (3 weeks).

4. Chart – Time vs. Height for the 21 days.

5. My hypothesis was correct. The plants that I tested grew the fastest in sunlight. Sun is the source of most energy on Earth. Sunlight contains essential ingredients plants need for growth. However, I only tested 2 plants and perhaps not all plants grow best in sunlight. When I repeat this experiment, I will include many plants from a variety of species.

Identify the problem

Form a hypothesis

Do an experiment

Analyze the data

Draw a conclusion