70 likes | 160 Views
Learn the fundamental steps of the scientific method to solve problems effectively. Identify the issue, conduct research, make hypotheses, run experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions for accurate results.
E N D
The Scientific Method Know these 6 steps!
Step 1: Identify the problem • A problem is just something that piques your interest • Example: my i-pod quits working • In your journal, draw the box on the left! PROBLEM: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Step 2: Research (make observations) RESEARCH (OBSERVATIONS): ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Quantitative (QN) observations: facts with numbers • Qualitative (QL) observations: facts without numbers • Inferences: logical guesses based on observations • What do you already know about the problem? What do you need to find out? • Example: I don’t hear any sound coming from my i-pod. The screen is not lighting up on my i-pod.
Step 3: Make a hypothesis • This is known as an “educated guess” because you have done research on your problem and so the answer has some facts behind it. • Hypotheses can change over time as scientists do more research and discover new information. • Example: My i-pod isn’t working because the battery needs to be charged. HYPOTHESIS: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Step 4: Perform an experiment EXPERIMENT: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ • An experiment is used to test the hypothesis that was formed in step 3. In a controlled experiment, only one variable is changed. • Materials: what do you need to conduct the experiment • Procedure: what are the steps you need to take to conduct the experiment • Example: I am going to plug the charger into my i-pod, wait 30 minutes, and then see if it works.
Step 5: Analyze the Data DATA (analyze): ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ • Data should be written in a table, with the independent variable in the left column and dependent variable(s) in the right hand column(s) • If appropriate, data should then be shown in a chart or graph (line graph, pie chart, etc.) • Example:
Step 6: Conclusion • Was your hypothesis correct? • What did you find? • If your hypothesis was correct, restate it in the conclusion. • If your hypothesis was incorrect, state that the hypothesis was rejected by the data. • Example: In my experiment I found that my i-pod’s battery needed to be charged in order for the i-pod to work again. CONCLUSION: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________