Scientific MethodMs. Maldonado

4th grade Science

Scientific Method

• The scientific method is an organized plan for gathering, organizing, and communicating information.

• The goal of any scientific method is to solve a problem or to better understand an observed event.

• Scientist perform experiments to test their hypothesis.

Scientific Method

• Problem/Question

• Research

• Formulate a Hypothesis

• Experiment

• Collect and Analyze Results

• Conclusion

• Communicate the Results

Steps of the Scientific Method

Making a Question

• After evaluating your observations, ask a question. What do you want to find out? State the problem as a question. Make the question as specific as possible.

ResearchResearch

Make observations and research your topic of interest.

Hypothesis

• Formulate a Hypothesis: Predict a possible answer to the problem or question.

• A hypothesis is an educated guess at the possible answer to the question.

Experiment

• Develop and follow a procedure.

• Include a detailed materials list.

The outcome must be measurable (quantifiable).

Collect and Analyze data/Results

• Modify the procedure if needed.

• Confirm the results by retesting.

• Include tables, graphs, and photographs.

Collect and Analyze Data

• Evaluate – Do you see any trends or patterns in the data? Do the data support your hypothesis or prediction? Do you need more information?

Draw Conclusion:

• Include a statement that accepts or rejects the hypothesis.

• Make recommendations for further study and possible improvements to the procedure.

Drawing a Conclusion

• State your conclusion based on your data. Your data should either support your conclusion or lead you to another hypothesis. Have any new questions or problems come up?

• .

Step_Five__Draw_a_Conclusion

Communicate the Results:

• Be prepared to present the project to an audience.

• Expect questions from the audience.

Presentation of Data

• Information obtain from observation can be presented in a variety of forms to make it easier for the viewer to obtain facts quickly.

• Graphs and charts present are some ways to organize and present data.

Observation

• 1. Observation – is information you obtain with your senses.

• What do you see?

• What do you hear?

• What do you smell?

• What do you feel?

• What do you taste?

observation

What you see

• The most direct way to gain knowledge about something in nature is to observe it.

• Your ability to observe can be extended by using tools such as microscopes, telescopes, thermometers, and rulers.

What you smell• Many times scientists

can identify the presence of a chemical, bacteria, or plant by its scent.

Can you identify the smell in the containers?

Touch and Feel

Texture –rough or smooth

Taste• Determining concentration through taste

What do you hear?

• Scientist record sounds of animals to determine how species communicate with each other.

• Sounds• Sounds

Components of an Experiment

• Variable – in an experiment any factor that can change is called a variable.

• Manipulated Variable – the variable that causes a change in another.

• Responding Variable – the variable that changes in response to the manipulated variable.

• Control Experiment – has two test groups- the control group and the experimental group. The control group is the standard by which any change can be measured.

Vocabulary

• Constant – The factors that are kept the same.

• Variable – The factor that is changed by the person doing the experiment

• Investigative tools

Researching an Experiment• List the materials necessary to conduct the

experiment

• Design the steps and procedures for the experiment.

• Design how data will be collected.