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Scientific Method

The scientific method involves asking a question, forming a hypothesis to answer it, designing and conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis, analyzing the results, and drawing a conclusion. Some key steps are defining the question, gathering information, forming a hypothesis, performing an experiment, analyzing and interpreting data, and publishing or retesting results. The document provides examples of questions that could be investigated using this method and defines key terms like variables, controls, and independent and dependent variables.

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maniasj
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744 views

Scientific Method

The scientific method involves asking a question, forming a hypothesis to answer it, designing and conducting an experiment to test the hypothesis, analyzing the results, and drawing a conclusion. Some key steps are defining the question, gathering information, forming a hypothesis, performing an experiment, analyzing and interpreting data, and publishing or retesting results. The document provides examples of questions that could be investigated using this method and defines key terms like variables, controls, and independent and dependent variables.

Uploaded by

maniasj
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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The Scientific Method

Steps to the Scientific Method

1. Define the question


2. Gather information and resources
(observe)
3. Form hypothesis
4. Perform experiment and collect data
5. Analyze data
6. Interpret data and draw conclusions
– Publish results
– Retest (frequently done by other scientists)
The Essential Question
//Begin with observations
• Use all five senses
• A problem is based on observations

//EXAMPLES:
What are some questions we can try to answer?

• Where are my Shoes?


• What should I have for lunch?
• Did I do my homework for this class?
• What is the cure for cancer?
• Which deodorant works the longest?
Observations
• any information that we gather
by using our senses
//Which center box looks bigger? The center box on
the left should appear to be a little bigger than the
one on the right, but they are really the same size.
What do you see?
Look at the above picture. You should see what appears to
be a bunch of blinking dots. But if you look closely, you'll
notice that if you focus on one dot it won't blink. Try covering
up everything except for one dot, and you'll see that it's just a
plain white dot.
How many horses are in the picture?
//Inference-
a conclusion that attempts to explain
or make sense of the observations

//EXAMPLES:
Making Inferences
//You are at the counter in the office to get
a bus pass signed. You see a student
leave the principal’s office crying and
upset. We could make an inference as to
why the student is upset.

– Could be in trouble (ISS, OSS, expelled)


– Family problems at home (sick, accident)
– Student not feeling well
– Student has poor grades (failing, retention)
STEP 3:
A Possible Solution
//Hypothesis-
• a testable explanation for an
observation
• an educated guess
STEP 4
//Collect Data!
//Perform the Experiment!

THINK CSI!!

What happens on CSI??


Aristotle & Galileo
• Aristotle said that heavy objects fall faster
than lighter ones.
• Galileo asked, “How much faster?”
• So he sent students up to the top of a
building and had them drop a heavy ball
and a lighter one off at the same time. He
had other students waiting below to
measure the difference in time between
the two hitting the ground.
Aristotle & Galileo
• When conducting an experiment,
change one factor and keep
everything else exactly the same.
• The one thing you change is called
the variable.
variable
• All the things you keep the same are
called controls.
controls
//Variable-
any factor in an experiment that
could affect the results and is
therefore tested separately
The Control
• The part of the experiment that always stays the
same

EXAMPLE:
If we were measuring the influence of different
quantities of fertilizers The control would be the
type of plant, the type of fertilizer, the amount of
sunlight the plant gets, the size of the pots, etc.
(the factors that would otherwise influence the
dependent variable if they were not controlled).
Galileo’s Experiment
• What was the variable in Galileo’s
experiment?
• The weight of the balls.
• What were some controls?
• Dropped from same height.
• Dropped at same time.
• Balls had same shape/size.
Independent vs. DEPENDANT
//Dependant-
It is something that depends on other factors.
Variable being measured

EXAMPLE: a test score could be a dependent variable


because it could change depending on several factors
such as how much you studied, how much sleep you got
the night before you took the test, or even how hungry you
were when you took it.

It can change the outcome of the experiment.

//Independent-
The variable that you change.

EXAMPLE: The Variable that you want to test is the brand


of dishwashing soap or carpet cleaner.
Interpret & Analyze Data

60

50

40

30 1st Semester
2nd Semester
20

10

0
A B C D &F
Conclusions
//What did you find the answer to the
question was?
//It is OK if it turns out that your
hypothesis was not correct.

DO NOT change your hypothesis to


reflect your experiments

//REPORT your findings

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