Scientific MethodScientific Method

Scientific MethodScientific Method• Steps used to gather information and solve problems

Scientific MethodScientific Method1. Identify a problem or

question that could be tested

2. Research to find out what is already known

Scientific MethodScientific Method3. Form a

hypothesis

Scientific MethodScientific Method4. Test the hypothesis

(experiment)

Scientific MethodScientific Method5. Record and study the data6. Form a conclusion

Scientific MethodScientific Method7. Communicate the results

Key TermsKey Terms• Hypothesis- testable

question• Usually an “if” “then”

statement • Example:

Key TermsKey Terms• Problem – to reduce the number of

students arriving late to class

• If there is a warning bell 30 sec. before each class, then

• more students will arrive on time

Key TermsKey Terms• Control- the group or subject

that has all normal or standard conditions

• Control group is necessary to compare the experimental groups to

Key TermsKey Terms• Variable- a condition that could be

different

• Independent Variable- the only condition that is changed for the experiment

• The variable that “I” change as the experimenter

Key TermsKey Terms• An experiment should have

only one independent variable

• Example:

Key TermsKey Terms• Mrs. C. wanted to test the effect

of different food coloring in food chosen by students

• She prepared mashed potato servings exactly the same except for the color

Key TermsKey Terms• The dependent variable is

the condition that might change as a result of the independent variable

• Example:

Key TermsKey Terms• Mrs. C. wanted to test the effect

of different food coloring in food chosen by students

• The dependent variable that she could observe is which potatoes the students chose

Key TermsKey Terms• Constant- condition(s) that is/are the same for trials