WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD?
Steps taken in a specific order to get an answer to a posed problem
Steps include: Observation State the Problem Research Hypothesis Experiment Results Conclusion
WHY DO WE USE THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD?
To organize experiments so others can repeat it and validate it
To communicate results effectively
OBSERVATION
Process of gathering information about events or processes in a careful, orderly way
Scientists collect data and use data to form inferences
Inference – a logical interpretation based on prior knowledge or experience
PROBLEM
Something you are trying to solve
The question that is being asked
Must be testable with measurable results
Example: Are the boys or girls in this class taller?
HYPOTHESIS
Prediction based on inference from observation
Testable solution to a question or problem
Can be written as an IF/THEN statement
If I get out of my seat and dance around the room, I will get in trouble with the teacher.
The sky is Blue.
Because there is a football next to the broken window, someone playing football must have broken my window.
It must have rained because there are many puddles outside.
The car is moving at 45 mph.
If I touch the hot handle on the pan, then I will likely burn my hand.
If the Heritage football team practices real hard all week, then they will win the next football game.
Wow! It really smells funny in here today.
Fall must be on its way because I am already back in school.
EXPERIMENT
Way of testing your hypothesis Setup of lab should be clear enough
that anyone would be able to follow the steps to do the experiment
Often requires collaboration – Scientists working together or
building upon each others work
EXPERIMENT TERMINOLOGY
Independent Variable: the thing in the experiment that you change (manipulate)
Dependent Variable: The thing that is observed and changes in response to the independent variable
Controlled Variable: The things that you do NOT change (you are not testing the impact of these)
Controlled Experiment: Experiments in which only one variable at a time is changed
RESULTS
Data collected during an experiment Can be in the form of a chart or graph Can be in the form of illustrations or
observations Quantitative – measureable data Qualitative – observable data
CONCLUSION
Hypothesis is supported or refuted (we NEVER prove or disprove)
Explains how the experiment can be applied to real life
Future Experiments Identifies any sources of error – How can the
experiment be improved if we did it again?
SCIENTIFIC THEORY
A general statement of why things work based on hypotheses that have been tested many times
Theories are used to explain and predict the outcome of other experiments
Sometimes they are wrong and must be modified or discarded