Scientific

Method

Ask a questionFinding the reason something is happening (e.g. why do the tadpoles have deformed limbs??)

Make observations—be accurate!

May also need to collect data

Form a Hypothesis• This is an educated guess!

• May have more than one hypothesis per question

• Make predictions

Test the Hypothesis• Design and conduct an

experiment:– Control group where no changes

are made– Experimental group(s)– Only tests one hypothesis/factor

at a time

Draw Conclusions

• Analyze your results and then decide if your hypothesis was true or false.

• If incorrect, reevaluate your hypothesis and try another one (do all steps over again with a different hypothesis).

Communicate the Results

• Tell other scientists about your results—both correct hypothesis and incorrect!

• So other scientists can evaluate your results and add to your work with their own experiments.