Scientific MethodScientific Method

I. State your I. State your problem:problem:

Your problem should be Your problem should be easy to understand and easy to understand and simple. It should be in the simple. It should be in the form of a question. It should form of a question. It should not start with “Why”.not start with “Why”.

Example: Which laundry

detergent gets out grass stains the best?

II. Research your problem:

A. Examples:

1. Recalling things you already know

2. Talking to an expert

3. reading books, and encyclopedias

4. searching the internet

.gov or .edu are best — avoid .com

III. Develop a Hypothesis:

Use research to decide what you think the results of your experiment will be. It should be in the form of an answer.

Example:Example:

Jesse believed that Tide Jesse believed that Tide would work best because would work best because it was the most expensiveit was the most expensive

IV. Write your IV. Write your procedure:procedure:

This includes writing a list of This includes writing a list of materials needed, and listing materials needed, and listing what steps you are going to what steps you are going to take to solve your problem. It take to solve your problem. It is just like writing a is just like writing a reciperecipe..

Example:

Jesse stained 4 shirts with grass. Then Jesse washed one with Tide, one with

Cheer, one with All and one without any detergent at all

V. Experiment:

A. All experiments should only have one variable. A variable is the factor that is being tested. More than one will lead to false results.

Example:Example:

Jesse used different types of Jesse used different types of detergent.detergent.

B. To make sure that your results are not caused by a hidden factor, a Control should be used. A control experiment is run the same as your testing experiment, it just does not include a variable.

Example:Example:

Jesse washed one shirt Jesse washed one shirt without detergent without detergent (water only).(water only).

VI. Record and Analyze data:Look at test results so that

you understand what they mean. Graphs and charts help you to do this.

Types of GraphsTypes of Graphs

TideTide AllAll CheerCheer WaterWater

11stst 50%50% 60%60% 20%20% 10%10%

22ndnd 30%30% 55%55% 40%40% 45%45%

3rd3rd 40%40% 25%25% 45%45% 50%50%

4th4th 50%50% 60%60% 45%45% 60%60%

Graphs are used to organize and analyze Graphs are used to organize and analyze collected data.collected data.

There are four types of graphs that are There are four types of graphs that are typically used in science:typically used in science:

Data Table = used to organize collected data for Data Table = used to organize collected data for easier analysiseasier analysis

Line graph = used to show any change of data Line graph = used to show any change of data collected over timecollected over time

Bar graph = used to compare different variables in Bar graph = used to compare different variables in an experimentan experiment

Pie or Circle graph = used to compare percentagesPie or Circle graph = used to compare percentages

VII. Stating a conclusion:

This is the answer to your problem.