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Scientific Method

Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method. Observation Research the problem Form a Hypothesis Design the experiment Perform the experiment Data Collection Conclusion Retest. Observations / Choose a Problem. Gathered through your senses

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Scientific Method

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  1. Scientific Method

  2. Steps in the Scientific Method • Observation • Research the problem • Form a Hypothesis • Design the experiment • Perform the experiment • Data Collection • Conclusion • Retest

  3. Observations / Choose a Problem • Gathered through your senses • A scientist notices something in their natural world that they wonder about

  4. Observations An exampleof an observation might be noticing that many salamanders near a pond have curved, not straight, tails- which leads to the problem of why the salamanders have curved, not straight tails

  5. Research the Problem • Using many sources, such as internet, books, periodicals, etc. find out as much information about the problem as possible

  6. Hypothesis • A suggested solution to the problem. • Must be testable • Sometimes written as If…Then… statements • Predicts an outcome

  7. Hypothesis • An example of a hypothesis might be that the salamanders have curved tails due to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live.

  8. Experiment • A procedure to test the hypothesis.

  9. Experiment Variable – factor in the experiment that is being tested

  10. Experiment A good or “valid” experiment will only have ONE variable!

  11. Scientific Experiments Follow Rules • An experimenter changes one factor andobserves or measureswhat happens.

  12. Controls and Variables

  13. The Control Variable • The experimenter makes a special effort to keep other factors constant so that they will not effect the outcome. • Those factors are called control variables.

  14. What is the Purpose of a Control? • Controls are NOT being tested • Controls are used for COMPARISON

  15. Other Variables • The factor that is changed is known as the independent variable. • The factor that is measured or observed is called the dependent variable.

  16. Example of Controls & Variables • For example, suppose you want to figure out the fastest route to walk home from school. • You will try several different routes and time how long it takes you to get home by each one. • Since you are only interested in finding a route that is fastest for you, you will do the walking yourself.

  17. What are the Variables in Your Experiment? • Varying the route is the independent variable • The time it takes is the dependent variable • Keeping the same walker throughout makes the walker a control variable.

  18. One more thing… it is best to make several trials with each independent variable.

  19. Valid Experiments

  20. Remember: To be a Valid Experiment: • Two groups are required --- the control & experimental groups • There should be only onevariable

  21. Data • Results of the experiment • May be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative

  22. Data • Must be organized • Can be organized into charts, tables, or graphs

  23. Conclusion • The answer to the hypothesis based on the data obtained from the experiment

  24. Retest In order to verify the results, experiments must be retested.

  25. Solving a Problem 1)Identify a Problem 2) State Observations about the problem- Research the problem 3) Form a Hypothesis about the problem (if…then…) 4) Design an Experiment to test the hypothesis 5) Perform the Experiment 6) Collect Data 7) Form a Conclusion 8) Retest

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