Anatomy Scientific Method

Scientific Method• A standardized means of organizing and

evaluating information to reach valid conclusions. **it’s a process!

• Terms you should remember:

– Hypothesis

– Experiment

– Data

– Theory

– Law

• Terms expanded:–Hypothesis – an idea that explains your

observations• A valid hypothesis has three characteristics

–1. Testable

–2. Unbiased

–3. Repeatable

If a hypothesis satisfies these criteria and the scientific community agrees…it can be accepted as a Scientific Theory

Observation & Define Problem Propose hypothesis

Design Experiment

Collect & Analyze Data

Unbiased?

Refine hypothesis

Repeat experiment

Accept as a scientific theory

Correct

Yes

Not repeatable

No

Propose new hypothesis

Redesign experiment

General Steps for the Scientific Method

1. Observe

2. Define a problem

3. Hypothesis

4. Experiment

5. Collect and Analyze Data

6. Form a Conclusion

7. Scientific Theory………

8. Scientific Law

• Two groups in an experiment….Control and experimental

Variables –

Independent vs dependent

(Independent – the one the experimenter aka you changes – graphed on the x axis

Dependent – changes because of the independent and is graphed on the y axis

• Thumb war activity