What is the Scientific Method?

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What is the Scientific Method?

• The guide to solving problems in an orderly way

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The scientific method

• Involves.
• Asking questions
• Making observations
• Trying things out in a orderly way
• Using certain steps

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Steps of the Scientific method

• Identify the problem
• Gather information
• State a hypothesis
• Test the hypothesis
• Make careful observations of results
• Organize analyze the data
• Form a conclusion

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1. IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM

• STATE THE PROBLEM CLEARLY- USUALLY IN THE FORM OF
  A QUESTION.
• EXAMPLE Why did my roses lose their leaves?

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2. GATHER INFORMATION

• RESEARCH
• ASK QUESTIONS
• DISCOVER WHAT IS ALREADY KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM
• EXAMPLE Go to the library and read about plants
  ask an expert.

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3. HYPOTHESIS

• MAKE AN EDUCATED GUESS OR POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO
  THE PROBLEM.
• EXAMPLE I think plants need certain nutrients.
  If I fertilize the plant, it will keep its
  leaves.

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4. TEST THE HYPOTHESIS

• DESIGN AN EXPERIMENT AND EXAMINE THE SITUATION TO
  CHECK THE HYPOTHESIS.
• EXAMPLE Fertilize some of the plants, just use
  plain water on others.

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5. MAKE CAREFUL OBSERVATIONS

• NOTE EVERYTHING YOUR SENSES CAN GATHER
• RECORD THE RESULTS (DATA)
• TAKE MEASUREMENTS
• KEEP CAREFUL RECORDS

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6. ORANIZE AND ANALYZE DATA

• PUT THE DATA IN ORDER
• USE CHARTS AND TABLES TO ORGANIZE THE DATA
• FIGURE OUT WHAT THE DATA MEANS (ANALYZE IT)

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7. STATE A CONCLUSION

• EXPLAIN THE DATA
• STATE WHETHER IT SUPPORTS THE HYPOTHESIS OR NOT
• If my roses grew more leaves, I can conclude that
  my hypothesis was correct.

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REVISE THE HYPOTHESIS

• IF MY HYPOTHESIS WAS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE DATA, I
  WILL REVISE THE HYPOTHESIS.
• EXAMPLE If I spray insecticide, my roses will
  keep their leaves