The Scientific Method

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The Scientific Method

• The process scientists use to gather information,
  test hypotheses, and solve problems

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The Scientific Method Begins With

• Observations
• Humans are naturally observant
• Good observations utilize all senses (sight,
  sound, smell, feel)
• Can include research on what other scientists
  have discovered.

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Observations lead to Questioning

• Good scientific questions can be answered using
  experimentation.
• These questions serve as the purpose to the
  study.

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Hypotheses

• A possible explanation for a set of observations
  or a possible answer to a scientific question.
• An educated guess
• This is what is being tested by the experiment.
• Can only be supported or rejected, NOT
  proven/disproved, correct/incorrect, etc.

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Controlled Experimentation

• 1 condition is changed at a time, all else being
  equal.
• Provide data which can be quantitative (ex?) or
  qualitative(ex?).

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Controlled experiments have 2 parts

• Independent Variable The condition that is
  changed in the experiment. All other conditions
  should be held constant b/w experimental groups.
• X axis on a graph
• (Manipulated Variable in text)
• Dependent Variable The condition that is
  measured due to the change (ind. var.).
• Y axis on a graph
• (Responding Variable in text)

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Data from Controlled Experiments

• Most data collected from experiments is
  considered Raw data.
• These data usually need to be mathematically
  worked with before they are analyzed. (e.g.
  averages, standardizing, etc.)
• Data is analyzed using both graphs and data
  tables.
• They type of independent variable investigated
  determines they type of graph utilized
• Line
• Bar
• Pie

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Data obtained from Experiments

• Analyzed to see if they support or reject
  hypothesis.
• Use background information and initial
  observations to explain why you got the data you
  did.
• Formulate new question that develop from the
  study
• Act as purposes for further controlled
  experiments.

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What happens after may related hypotheses have
been tested?

• Theory An explanation that is broad in scope,
  generates new hypotheses, and is supported by a
  large body of evidence.
• Characteristics
• Much broader in scope than a hypothesis
• General enough to spin off many new, specific
  hypotheses that can be tested.
• Generally supported by a much more massive body
  of evidence.