Scientific Method

1. Scientific Method

2. Observations - Notes • There are two types of observations: • Qualitative – These observations are based on your 5 senses. Sight, Sound, Small, Taste, Touch • Quantitative – These observations are based on numbers. Measurements, counting, etc.

3. Variables • Definition: Factors or conditions that can change or be changed and can affect results. • TWO TYPES OF VARIABLES: • INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: The variable that the experimenter is choosing to manipulate. (Always on the X-axis) • Example: Miracle Grow • DEPENDENT VARIABLE: A variable that may change as a result of the independent variable. (Always on the Y-axis) • Example: Plant Growth

4. IV/DV • Independent Variable is what YOU are testing. It is what the experiment is on. • Dependent Variable is the RESULTS of the experiment. It is the measurement or numbers.

5. Constants • Constants are things that stay the same for every experiment trial.

6. Variable Practice (remember ~ practice goes on the left side of your notebook!) • While skateboarding, Andrew decided to do an experiment. He wanted to test different ramp heights to see which one would give him the fastest ride. • What is the Independent Variable? • What is the Dependent Variable?

7. Variable Practice • While eating ice cream, Lauren decided to test which brand of ice cream would melt fastest at room temperature. • What is the Independent Variable? • What is the dependent variable?

8. Variable Practice • Squidward loves playing his clarinet and believes it attracts more jellyfish than any other instrument he has played. In order to test his hypothesis, Squidward played a song on his clarinet for a total of 5 minutes and counted the number of jellyfish he attracted. Then, he played the same song on his flute and guitar. • What is the independent variable? • What is the dependent variable? • What are the constants?

9. Variable Practice • SpongeBob noticed that his favorite pants were not as clean as they used to be. His friend Sandy told him that he should try using Clean-O detergent, a new laundry soap she found at Sail-Mart. SpongeBob made sure to wash one pair in plain water and another pair in the Clean-O detergent. After washing both pairs of pants, the pants washed in Clean-O did not appear any cleaner than the pants washed in water. • What is the independent variable? • What is the dependent variable? • What are the constants?

10. Independent Practice • In your notes, write an experiment that you could do at home (you will not be doing the experiment). Then, identify the independent and dependent variable and the constants.

11. More Practice…. Talon was watering his plants when he decided to find out if giving plants different amounts of sunlight would effect their growth. • Independent Variable? • Dependent Variable? • Constants?

12. More practice! Hunter was running in running club one day when he decided to test which brand of running shoes made him run faster. • Independent Variable? • Dependent Variable? • Constants?

13. More Practice! After school, Paige was watching TV. She started checking her heart rate during the shows she watched, That’s So Raven, Full House, and TRL, to see if the shows effected her heart rate. • Independent Variable? • Dependent Variable? • Constants?

14. Testable Questions… • Must have an independent variable and dependent variable. • Example: Does the type of surface affect how far a ball will roll? • Ask about objects, organisms and events in our world. • Example: Does the amount of water given to plants affect their growth?

15. Testable Questions… • Can be answered through investigations that involve experiments. • Example: Does an earthworm speed up composting?

16. Testable Questions… • Are answered by collecting and analyzing evidence that is measurable. • Example: What is the affect of fertilizer on the growth of a sunflower plant? • Relate to scientific ideas rather than personal belief. • Example: Which type of orange has the most juice?

17. NOT A TESTABLE QUESTION • Which tastes better, orange juice or apple juice? • This is someone’s opinion.

18. Testable questions are not research questions. Rresearchquestions: • What makes up an ecosystem? • Where are whales found in the world?

19. Practice Formulate a testable question about house cleaning products. Identify: • Independent Variable • Dependent Variable • Constants

20. Hypothesis Definition: If/then statement that can be tested; educated guess stating how one variable may affect another variable. • Example: If the type of plant food is Miracle Grow, then plant growth will increase.

21. Hypothesis Format If the (Independent Variable) is choice, then the (Dependent Variable) is/will result.

22. Hypothesis Practice Does the type of oil affect how high an engine idles? Turn the testable question above into a hypothesis. Put the IV/DV in () and underline choice and result. If the (Independent Variable) is choice, then the (Dependent Variable) is/will result.

23. Answer If the type of (engine oil) is Valvoline, then the engine will (idle high).

24. Hypothesis Practice Does the type of fertilizer affect how fast grass will grow? Turn the testable question above into a hypothesis. Put the IV/DV in () and underline choice and result. If the (Independent Variable) is choice, then the (Dependent Variable) is result.

25. answer If the (fertilizer) is Scotts, then the grass will (grow the 3 inches in 7 days.

26. September 13, 2011 Does the type of citrus fruit affect the electricity current? Formulate a hypothesis from the above question.