1 / 13

Scientific Method

This article provides an overview of the scientific method, including its steps, the importance of observations and questions, forming hypotheses, conducting experiments, analyzing results, drawing conclusions, and communicating findings. It also explains the concepts of theories and laws in science.

coryd
Download Presentation

Scientific Method

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Scientific Method

  2. Information • Vocabulary will be in Green. (these go in your notes!) • Information for your notes is in Orange.

  3. What is the Scientific Method? • Scientific Method: a series of steps that scientists use to answer questions and solve a problem • Steps (IGHEAD) • IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM (by making observations and asking questions) • GATHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION • HYPOTHESIS • EXPERIMENT • ANALYZE RESULTS • DRAW CONCLUSION AND COMMUNICATE RESULTS

  4. Observations • Observation: any use of the senses to gather information • Two types: • Qualitative • Quantitative

  5. Question • Questions help you narrow and focus investigation and identify what you are trying to find out. • There are 3 ways to ask a question: • What factors cause… • What is the relationship between… • What is the effect of…

  6. GATHER BACKGROUND INF0 • SEE WHAT PEOPLE ALREADY KNOW • USE THIS INFORMATION TO MAKE THE BEST HYPOTHESIS

  7. Forming a Hypothesis • Hypothesis: possible explanation or answer to a question; MUST BE TESTABLE • If/then…because statements • The “IF” part is doing what • The “THEN” part is what will happen • The “because” explains why • Ex: “If study time is increased by 10 minutes every night, then grades will improve because there is more practice”

  8. EXPERIMENTING • To test a hypothesis is to conduct a controlled experiment • Controlled experiment: there is a control group and an experimental group • Variable: one factor that is different in the experimental group • Data: any pieces of information acquired through experimentation

  9. Analyze Results • In order to understand data collected it must be analyze to determine if it supports the hypothesis.

  10. Draw Conclusion • Three types of conclusions • Supports the hypothesis • Does not support the hypothesis • Need more information • Regardless of the out come you must explain

  11. Communicate Results • Writing them up in a science journal • Submitting them to a respected online magazine • NEVER by word of mouth (telling people)

  12. Scientific Method Overview • You can always start over from any step in the scientific method! • http://my.hrw.com/sh2/sh07_10/student/flash/visual_concepts/80002.htm

  13. Scientific Theories/Laws • Theory – is a unifying explanation for a broad range of hypotheses and observations that have been supported by testing • Law – is a summary of many experimental results and observations

More Related