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Scientific Method

Scientific Method. How can you find a supported answer to an investigative question?. 6 Main Steps. Question Hypothesis Materials Procedure Data Table Conclusion. Question. This is the first step of the Scientific Method. May be asked by the teacher Could be asked by you

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Scientific Method

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  1. Scientific Method How can you find a supported answer to an investigative question?

  2. 6 Main Steps • Question • Hypothesis • Materials • Procedure • Data Table • Conclusion

  3. Question • This is the first step of the Scientific Method. • May be asked by the teacher • Could be asked by you • Scientists develop their questions based on knowledge, patterns, and research

  4. Hypothesis • This is what you expect to happen based on your observations and what you already know. • Should begin with “I predict…because…” • It’s OK if the results of the experiment don’t support your hypothesis

  5. Materials • This is a list of everything a person would need to test the question

  6. Procedure • This is a STEP BY STEP list of directions needed to test the question. • Should be detailed enough that a stranger could follow the steps to test the question. • Don’t assume that someone else will know what you are talking about.

  7. Procedure continued • In your procedure, you must keep all factors the same except the thing you are testing. • If you have inconsistencies, your results will not be accurate or validated.

  8. Variables • A variable is a factor or condition

  9. Control Variables • Keep things the same for a fair experiment • There may be many control variables • Same equipment • Same actions • Also called controlled variables

  10. Independent Variable • The one factor that the experimenter purposely makes different, in order to test the question. • Can only have 1! • (“What Ichange.”)

  11. Examples of Variables. • Question - How much water gives the tallest plant? • Dependent Variable? • Independent Variable ? • Control Variables ?

  12. Examples of Variables. • Question - How much water gives the greatest plant growth? • Independent Variable - 1 liter, 2 liters, 3 liters of water • Control Variables – Same type of plant, starting size, amount of light • Dependent Variable - the height of the plant

  13. Data Table • This is a chart where you record your results • For accurate results data tables must show multiple trials and an average. • A general rule of thumb is to have at least 3 trials for most experiments • Multiple trials help give you more accurate results

  14. Data Table Requirements • Data Table should be clear enough for a stranger to understand exactly what is happening in an experiment • A descriptive title • Clear and descriptive labels for each row and column • Clearly identified units • Logically organized • Neat

  15. Measurement • In science, we measure using the Metric System (SI) • Mass – grams • Length – meters • Volume – liters • Temperature – Celsius • Remember prefixes – kilo, centi, milli

  16. Graphs • Once you have gathered your data, you must pick an appropriate graph to display your results • Graphs give you and your audience an easy visual from which to read the collected data

  17. Types of Graphs • Bar – used to compare data that cannot be connected. Example: Rainfall on each day in April • Line or Scatter – shows the relationship between an independent and dependent variable • X axis – independent • Y axis – dependent

  18. Conclusion Format • Restate your hypothesis. • Confirmation of hypothesis. • Review of data – COMPARE the data. Don’t just communicate results, compare and contrast for more meaningful analysis. • Reflection – tell what the data shows or proves. What is the conclusion? • Report sources of potential error and possible improvements for further testing.

  19. Conclusion, Data & Hypothesis • “The data supports my hypothesis” OR“The data does not support my hypothesis.” • NOT “My hypothesis was wrong” or “My hypothesis was correct” • It’s about what the data tells us – not about being right or wrong!

  20. Scientific Theory • It takes multiple experiments by many different people for a conclusion to become a theory. • Many scientists have to get similar results and have similar conclusions before something becomes widely accepted. • Compare to multiple sources – if findings are consistent across the board, it’s likely that something true has been discovered. • People commonly misuse this word.

  21. Scientific Method as a Cycle

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