SCIENTIFIC METHOD

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SCIENTIFIC METHOD
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SCIENTIFIC METHOD

• The scientific method is an organized way to
  solve a problem or answer a question.
• You probably use it every day without even
  thinking about it.

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The Problem / Purpose

• What do you want to find out? What problem are
  you trying to solve?
• State your problem or purpose as clearly as
  possible.
• Does your problem have more than one part?

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Observations / Research

• An observation is when you use your senses to
  gather information about your problem.
• Use your past experiences as a resource.
• Research is an important part of gathering
  information.

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Observation vs. Inference

• Be careful not to confuse an observation with an
  inference.
• For example
• There is a long line at the restaurant. This is
  an observation.
• The food is good at the restaurant. This is an
  inference.

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Hypothesis

• An educated guess.
• A possible solution to the problem based on your
  observations, research, and past experience.

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Experiment

• An experiment is the way a hypothesis is tested
  to see if it is correct.
• Every experiment has variables, constants, and a
  control.

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Experiment (contd)

• The variable is the factor that is changed in an
  experiment.
• The constant(s) remains the same during the
  entire experiment.
• The control is our standard for comparison.

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A Controlled Experiment

• For an experiment to be valid, it must be
  controlled.
• During a controlled experiment only one variable
  is changed at a time.
• The scientist must contrast an experimental
  group with a control group. The two groups are
  treated EXACTLY alike except for the ONE variable
  being tested.

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Theory / Conclusion

• Was your hypothesis correct? What did your
  experiments tell you? Do you need to do further
  experiments?
• If your hypothesis was proven to be correct, it
  becomes your theory. If your hypothesis was not
  correct, you would change your hypothesis and
  experiment again. http//pc65.frontier.osrhe.edu/h
  s/science/hsimeth.htm