Scientific MethodScientific Method

Identify the ProblemIdentify the Problem Finding out what you want answered or what problem Finding out what you want answered or what problem

you want to solveyou want to solve Make sure the question is testable –eliminate questions Make sure the question is testable –eliminate questions

that can not be measuredthat can not be measured Written in question formWritten in question form Only one variable tested at a timeOnly one variable tested at a time Questions begin with what, why, how, whenQuestions begin with what, why, how, when

ex/ How does acid rain effect plant growth?ex/ How does acid rain effect plant growth?

non ex/ What is Ms. Laudemann’s favorite ice non ex/ What is Ms. Laudemann’s favorite ice cream?cream?

Research the ProblemResearch the Problem

Identify the question then start gathering Identify the question then start gathering and organizing informationand organizing informationWays to researchWays to research

What do you already know (past experienceWhat do you already know (past experience ObservationsObservations TextbooksTextbooks Encyclopedias other reference booksEncyclopedias other reference books Professional JournalsProfessional Journals Science MagazinesScience Magazines InternetInternet Data BasesData Bases

Make sure sources of information are reliablewho is the authorlast updatedlinks or other sources that support information

Hypothesis/PredictionHypothesis/Prediction

An expectation of what will be observedAn expectation of what will be observedA forecast about what will happenA forecast about what will happenBased on prior knowledge and data that Based on prior knowledge and data that

has been collectedhas been collectedMake sure the hypothesis can be testedMake sure the hypothesis can be tested

How do you make accurate How do you make accurate predictions?predictions?

Make observations. Recall past Make observations. Recall past experiencesexperiences

Use your knowledge to search for patterns Use your knowledge to search for patterns in data. Make inferencesin data. Make inferences

Make predictions about future eventsMake predictions about future eventsTest those predictions to determine validityTest those predictions to determine validityAfter testing, revise predictions if After testing, revise predictions if

necessarynecessary

HypothesisHypothesis

Tentative explanation for an observationTentative explanation for an observation Inference about why something might Inference about why something might

happenhappenWritten in an If… Then…. Because… Written in an If… Then…. Because…

statementstatementThe results of an experiment cannot prove The results of an experiment cannot prove

that a hypothesis is correct, rather the that a hypothesis is correct, rather the results either support or not support results either support or not support (refute) the hypothesis(refute) the hypothesis

If….. Then…. Because…If….. Then…. Because…

If (independent variable) what you If (independent variable) what you changed on purposechanged on purpose

Then (dependent variable) what you will Then (dependent variable) what you will measuremeasure

Because - Your inference (explanation) of Because - Your inference (explanation) of why you think it will happen.why you think it will happen.

ExampleExample

Independent Variable – length of paper Independent Variable – length of paper thing bladesthing blades

Dependent Variable – rotational speedDependent Variable – rotational speed

Design the ExperimentDesign the Experiment Identify the VariablesIdentify the Variables

IndependentIndependent DependentDependent ControlsControls

Set up the Control and Experimental GroupSet up the Control and Experimental GroupWrite a ProcedureWrite a Procedure

Short easy stepsShort easy steps Start with action wordStart with action word No pronouns (I, you, we, us, etc…)No pronouns (I, you, we, us, etc…) Materials listMaterials list

Operational Definition – how you will Operational Definition – how you will measuremeasure

Perform the ExperimentPerform the ExperimentMake the test FairMake the test FairAccurate/ PreciseAccurate/ PreciseObservationsObservations

QuantitativeQuantitative Qualitative Qualitative

Operational DefinitionOperational DefinitionRecord any problems/issuesRecord any problems/issuesMetric MeasurementsMetric MeasurementsCreate Data TableCreate Data Table

Analyze the DataAnalyze the Data Data TablesData Tables

Organize and record measurementsOrganize and record measurements TitleTitle Columns and rowsColumns and rows LabelsLabels

GraphsGraphs Convert data sets into pictures, which are often easier to Convert data sets into pictures, which are often easier to

understand and analyze for patternsunderstand and analyze for patterns Line GraphLine Graph

Change over timeChange over time Circle GraphCircle Graph

Percentage of wholePercentage of whole Bar GraphBar Graph

Compare and contrast dataCompare and contrast data

Analyze the DataAnalyze the Data

Look for Patterns in the DataLook for Patterns in the DataCompare and ContrastCompare and Contrast

Look for similarities and differencesLook for similarities and differencesCause and Effect RelationshipsCause and Effect RelationshipsDo you need more information (research0Do you need more information (research0Look for outliers or problemsLook for outliers or problems

Draw ConclusionDraw Conclusion Was hypothesis supported or refuted?Was hypothesis supported or refuted? What is the evidence to support or refute?What is the evidence to support or refute? Is there any science background information to Is there any science background information to

help support or refute your answer? help support or refute your answer? Where there any problems or issues with your Where there any problems or issues with your

experiment that need to be solvedexperiment that need to be solved What other experiments could help you gather What other experiments could help you gather

more information?more information? Why, How, When, Where, - be able to explain.Why, How, When, Where, - be able to explain.

ConclusionsConclusions

Three Paragraph FormatThree Paragraph Format 11stst paragraph paragraph

Your results, hypothesis supported or refuted what is the Your results, hypothesis supported or refuted what is the evidence?evidence?

22ndnd paragraph paragraph Problems/issuesProblems/issues Things to watch out for in this experimentThings to watch out for in this experiment What did you controlWhat did you control

33rdrd paragraph paragraph What other experiments or future research could help you What other experiments or future research could help you

learn more?learn more?

Communicate ResultsCommunicate ResultsLab ReportLab Report

TitleTitle AbstractAbstract HypothesisHypothesis Materials ListMaterials List ProcedureProcedure ObservationsObservations Data TablesData Tables GraphsGraphs 3 Paragraph Conclusion3 Paragraph Conclusion