The Scientific Method

1
The Scientific Method

• Organized Common Sense

2
Scientific Method

• The scientific Method is a method of answering
  scientific question

3
Steps in the Scientific Method

1. State the problem
2. Form a hypothesis
3. Test the hypothesis
4. Organize data
5. Form a conclusion
6. Replicate work

4
Stating a Problem

• THIS IS NOT A PERSONAL PROBLEM!!
• The problem is the scientific question
• Do plants need
• water to grow?

5
Researched hypothesis

• A hypothesis is a possible answer (educated
  guess)
• Based on prior knowledge, observations and
  research
• If plants get water then they will grow.
• Is this true?
• We will find out by
• testing

6
Test Hypothesis

• This may be done through observation
• May done thru experiments

7
How are Experiments run?

• Identify your independent and dependent variables
• Independent variables (IV) is the variable that
  is purposefully changed by the experimenter.
• It is the one factor (cause) that the
  experimenter wants to test
• Example amount of water

8
How are Experiments run?

• Dependent variable (DV) is the variable that
  responds or changes during the experiment.
• Example the dependent variable is the growth of
  the plant.
• As I add water to the plant it grows.

9
How are Experiments run?

• You must have constants
• Factors in an experiment that are kept the same
  throughout the experiment in both the control
  group and the experimental group
• I will have three plants of the same species,
  given the same amount of light, planted in the
  same soil, given the same nutrients, and receive
  the same amount of air.

10
How are Experiments run?

• You must have a control and experimental group.
• Control is the standard that is used to compare
  with the experimental group. The independent
  variable is missing and is often the normal
  situation.
• Example This plant will receive the same amount
  of water everyday.

11
How are Experiments run?

• Experimental group is the test group, in which
  all conditions are kept the same except for the
  single condition being tested.
• Example There are two plants in the experimental
  group.
• One plant gets no water
• One plant gets lots of water

12
Organize Data

• Data is information collected during experiment
  is recorded in an organized fashion.
• Data table, pictures, and graphs
• Pie graphs show percent
• Bar graphs show relationship between IV and DV
• Scatter graphs are used to discover how one thing
  might affect something else

13
Graphing Rules

• When graphing, you must always remember the
  following
• Title
• Label X and Y axis
• Use even numerical spacing (2, 4, 6, etc.)
• Even graphical spacing (use graph paper)
• Be accurate
• Use rulers, protractors and colors

14
How do I label the x and y axis?

• For line graphs the dependent variable is on the
  y axis and the independent variable is on the x
  axis
• For bar graphs the names of items go on the x
  axis and the amounts go on the y axis

15
Form a Conclusion

• The conclusion tries to explain the data. A good
  conclusion will
• Analyze and explain the data
• Explain why this information would be beneficial
• Explain any possible errors in the experiment
• Recommend other experiments that can be done to
  understand the topic better

16
What is a Theory?

• A theory is a unifying explanation agreed upon by
  most scientists developed by analyzing data
  collected by many experiments over a period of
  time.

17
You try

• Think of a question or a problem that you
  encountered
• Try to solve it by using the scientific method
• Write this in your notes. Use headings.