Download - The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method
A.ObserveB.QuestionC.Research
D. Hypothesize! (educated guess)
E. ExperimentF. Data
G. AnalyzeH. Conclude
Hypothesis vs. Theory
Hypothesis-1 explanation
Theory-◦many hypotheses proven over time!
◦fact/truth
The Skinny On the Sci Method Fall 2013
Control Group vs. Experimental Group
Control group: group that is left alone
no variable is introduced to it! used for COMPARISON
Experimental group:group that is changedvariable introduced
Skinny on VariablesIndependent Variable
The factor that was changed
Dependent Variable:The result of the change
ScenarioMelly Sue has always wondered if her goldfish could withstand slightly colder water. She decides to perform a scientific experiment! After having done some research on goldfishes, she thinks that colder water will cause her fish’s heart rate to increase.
Problem:Will changing temperature affect goldfish
heart rate? Hypothesis:If temperature of environment decreases, then heart rate will increase.
750 F
550 F600 F
650 F700 F
1
4
32
5
CONTRO
L Exper imenta l
Exper imenta l
Exper imenta l
Exper imenta l
Billy notices that the fish’s heart rate
decreased in the colder water,
because their gills opened and closed
slower.
RULESEvery variable is kept the same, except for
the independent variableEx: same fish bowl
same water same fish food same exposure to light same environmental stress
Unavoidable Source of Experimental Error: the fish themselves
Independent Variable:The decreasing temperature of the water.
Dependent Variable: Decreasing heart rate
Data: Temperature (F) Heart Rate (BPM)
75 3070 2865 2560 2055 18
Results
70 65 60 5515
20
25
30
Temperature (F)
Hea
rt R
ate
(bpm
)
Conclusion: -Restate the problem. -Was the hypothesis correct? -Use data to support hypothesis.
The experiment used the scientific _______ to test how ____ _____of fish would be affected by decreasing_______. The hypothesis was ______ correct, because decreasing temperature caused a ________ heart rate in the fish. The data collected showed that at 70 F, the heart rate was _______. At 60 F, the heart rate was _________. The results concluded that there was a ________ trend of heart rate with decreasing ________.