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Scientific Method

Scientific Method. Created by: Peg Kueberth. Scientific Method. Steps: Problem Research Hypothesis Experiment Data & analysis Conclusion. An organized approach to . designing controlled experiments. . Problem. What question do you want to answer?. Research.

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Scientific Method

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  1. Scientific Method Created by: Peg Kueberth

  2. Scientific Method Steps: Problem Research Hypothesis Experiment Data & analysis Conclusion An organized approach to designing controlled experiments.

  3. Problem What question do you want to answer?

  4. Research What’s already been studied, experimented, learned?

  5. Hypothesis Educated guess at the answer to the problem written as an, “If… then…” statement

  6. Experiment I.D. variables, list materials, plan/list steps to follow in performing the experiment

  7. Data & Analysis Report measurements in SI units, decide how to display data (tables/graphs), make calculations, record observations

  8. Conclusion Accept, reject or modify hypothesis Quote data decision is based upon Comment on validity & reliability Suggest changes &/or future experiments

  9. Match the step to its description. Research Problem Hypothesis Experiment Data & analysis Conclusion Decide to accept, reject or modify hypothesis Identify variables, design & perform experiment Find out what experiments other scientists have performed Question you want to answer Record results, perform calculations Educated guess at the answer to the problem

  10. Is the Experiment Valid? • Validity = tests what it claims to test • Is only 1 variable changed? • If no control gp., not valid • Is the independent variable being tested in a way it would really be used?

  11. Is the experiment reliable? Reliability = gives same results when repeated If not reliable, a 2nd variable must have been changed (not controlled) Repeat experiment to show reliability

  12. A pet owner wants to know which brand of puppy food produces the healthiest puppies. So, she looks up studies comparing top brands of puppy foods. What step of the scientific method is this? Hypothesis Conclusion Experiment Research Problem Data & Analysis

  13. Juan wants to know whether cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes will produce the most fruit. He thinks the cherry will but decides to plant 5 of each kind to find out. He makes sure they all get the same amount of sun, water & fertilizer. What is the problem? Do cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes produce the most fruit?

  14. Juan wants to know whether cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes will produce the most fruit. He thinks the cherry tomatoes will but decides to plant 5 of each kind to find out. He makes sure they all get the same amount of sun, water & fertilizer. What is the hypothesis? Cherry tomatoes will produce more fruit than grape tomatoes.

  15. Juan wants to know whether cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes will produce the most fruit. He thinks the cherry tomatoes will but decides to plant 5 of each kind to find out. He makes sure they all get the same amount of sun, water & fertilizer. After 3 months, the grape tomatoes produced an average of 1.2 lbs. per plant while the cherries produced an average of 1 lb. each. What should be Juan’s conclusion? Reject hypothesis or plan to test again next year to see if there was something special about this year’s grape tomatoes.

  16. Variable Anything that can change the results of an experiment Individual differences Nutrients Age Oxygen Size pH Air pressure… Food Health Fertilizer

  17. Independent variable What you are testing Dependent variable What you are measuring

  18. Identify theindependentvariable&dependent variable in the experiment: Does taking 1000mg of Vitamin C daily prevent the common cold?

  19. Identify theindependentvariable&dependent variable in the experiment: Does playing music while studying lower test scores?

  20. Identify theindependentvariable&dependent variable in the experiment: What are the effects of the number of hours of light exposure on the rate of seed growth?

  21. Controlled experiments have: Experimental group Control group

  22. In a controlled experiment: The Experimental group & Control group are treated exactly the same except…

  23. The group that gets the independent variable is the: Experimental group Control group Both groups

  24. Identify the control & experimental groups in the following experiment: A new drug is being tested for its effectiveness in reducing tumor growth. Half the cancer patients being tested receive the real drug while the other half receive a placebo, a pill that looks the same but is only sugar. Which half is the control & which the experimental? Experimental group = Control group =

  25. How many variables should you change at 1 time in an experiment? Any number 3 2 1 If you change more than 1 variable, you won’t know which 1 caused what you measured.

  26. When evaluating an experiment look for: • Is there a control group? • Is only 1 variable different between the experimental & control groups? • Is the sample size large enough to control for individual differences?

  27. Match the term to its description. Experimental Variable Dependent variable Independent variable Control Group that gets the independent variable Group that does NOT get the independent variable ANY factor that can change the outcome of an experiment Factor you are testing (changing) Factor you are measuring

  28. Bias is: • Giving just 1 side of the story • Trying to sway people to agree with you or think what you want them to think

  29. Bias in science may involve: • Failing to report data unfavorable to desired conclusion • Designing experiment to give desired results • Designing graphs to influence interpretation • No control group, small sample size, changing 2 variables at once…

  30. Preventing bias in science: • Control group, large sample size, changing only 1 variables at once… • Designing experiment to give honest results • Designing graphs to accurately show data • Giving a placebo (fake drug) to the control group when testing new drug • Double-blind design when testing new drug (neither patients nor researcher knows who got real drug )

  31. Science Fair Topic Tips • Does the topic interest you? • Will it interest others (judges)? • Is it an actual experiment (testing something)? --not a model or demonstration! • Can you obtain needed materials easily & quickly? --consider sample size! • Can you make actual measurements? • Is it valid? --test what it claims to test! • Write 3 topic choices, each as a question (problem) --hand it in ASAP – only 1 person/team can do a particular topic

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