The Scientific Method

1. The Scientific Method

2. Parts of the Scientific Method • Form a Theory Repeat

3. Parts of the Scientific Method • Form a Theory 1) Ask a Question

4. Parts of the Scientific Method 1. Observe a Problem or Ask a Question Example: Is fire always orange?

5. Parts of the Scientific Method • Form a Theory 2) Develop a Hypothesis

6. Parts of the Scientific Method 2. Develop a Hypothesis Example: If the same substance (phlogiston) is emitted by fire, then all fires will be orange.

7. Parts of the Scientific Method • Form a Theory 3) Experiment

8. Parts of the Scientific Method 3. Experiment Example: Burn metal chlorides and observe color of flame

9. Parts of the Experiment Independent Variable – the variable that is changed by the scientist Dependent Variable – the variable that “depends on” the independent variable changing

10. Parts of the Experiment Control Variables – variables that are kept constant Example: Independent: Which metal is burned Dependent: Color of flame Control: Type of flame, temperature of flame, etc.

11. Parts of the Scientific Method • Form a Theory 4) Analyze Data

12. Parts of the Scientific Method 4. Analyze Data

13. Parts of the Experiment Quantitative Data – data which can be measured; deals with numbers Qualitative Data – data can be observed but not measured; deals with descriptions

14. Parts of the Scientific Method This data is Qualitative. It does not have numbers.

15. Parts of the Scientific Method • Form a Theory 5) Reach Conclusion

16. Parts of the Scientific Method 5. Reach Conclusion Conclusion: Fire does not always burn orange.

17. Parts of the Scientific Method • Form a Theory 6) Form a Theory

18. Parts of the Scientific Method 6. Form a theory Theory – an explanation for some phenomenon that is based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning -Must be supported by many experiments done by many scientists The theory of phlogiston (a substance that leaves materials when they burn) was proven false.

19. Parts of the Experiment Which is the independent variable? (variable changed by the scientist) -Whenever Angela accidentally eats peanut butter, she becomes really sick. 1. Peanut Butter 2. Sickness

20. Parts of the Experiment Which is the independent variable? -Julie wants to know if the amount of sunlight a plant receives will affect its growth. 1. Amount of sunlight 2. Plant Growth

21. Parts of the Experiment Which is the independent variable? -A university research group investigates the connection between developing lung cancer and smoking cigarettes. 1) Lung cancer 2) Smoking

22. Parts of the Experiment Is the data quantitative or qualitative? -Whenever Angela accidentally eats peanut butter, she becomes really sick. 1) Quantitative (numbers) 2) Qualitative (descriptive)

23. Parts of the Experiment Is the data quantitative or qualitative? -Julie wants to know if the amount of sunlight a plant receives will affect its growth. 1) Quantitative (numbers) 2) Qualitative (descriptive)

24. Parts of the Experiment Is the data quantitative or qualitative? -A university research group discovers that 80%-90% of all lung cancer deaths are due to smoking. 1) Quantitative (numbers) 2) Qualitative (descriptive)