the scientific method. - way to solve a problem - step by step plan - tries to answer a question
TRANSCRIPT
The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method
- Way to solve a problem
- Step by step plan
- Tries to answer a question
The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method has 6 steps: ProblemResearchHypothesisExperimentData Conclusion
Step 1 - Problem/Question
You ask a question about what you observe.
Step 2 - Research
Gather information about the problem through observations, books, internet, or past experience. What do you know?
Step 3 - Hypothesis
•Prediction that can be tested by an experiment
•Answers the problem/question
•May be written in the form If …. then …..
Good Hypothesis
•Both an independent and dependent variable
•Declarative statement - NO I’s or We’s or My or Our
Step 4 - Experiment
• way to test the hypothesis and collect data under controlled conditions• The outcome must be measurable
Independent Variable:
- factor that is TESTED
- what is DIFFERENT between the groups
- what CHANGES between each set-up
THERE IS ONLY ONE INDEPENDENT
VARIABLE IN AN EXPERIMENT!!
Dependent variable:- what is MEASURED during the experiment
- affected by the independent variable
Constant Variables:
- variables that are kept the SAME
- makes the experiment FAIR
- there are MANY in an experiment
Experimental Group:
- the group that you are testing
- group that gets the factor you are testing
- group that gets the independent variable
Control Group:
- group that DOES NOT get the factor you are testing
- group that you check your results against
- used to compare results
Good Experiments
- large sample size- one factor tested (one independent variable)- quantitative or measurable results- Large sample size- Repeated for accuracy
Step 5 - Observations/Data
- Record any observations and data
Observations
Qualitative Observation - qualities (observable but not measurable)- no numbers- examples: color, shape, smell, texture
Observations
Quantitative Observations - quantities (observable AND measurable)- numbers- examples: length, volume, temperature
Graphs
Line Graph
-describes how one factor affects a second factor
-Continuous data
Graphs
Circle Graph- compares percentages- Compares part of a whole
Graphs
Column or Bar Graph- used for comparison- discreet data points
Step 6 Conclusion
-accept or reject your hypothesis
-Support your answer with the data
-Publish your results