The Scientific Method

The Steps to Success

The Scientific Method

What is the scientific method? It is a process that is used to find answers to questions about the world around us.

 Is there only one scientific method?

No, there are several versions of the scientific method. Some versions have more steps, while others may have only a few. However, they all begin with the identification of a problem or a question to be answered based on observations of the world around us.

They provide an organized method for conducting and analyzing an experiment.

 What is a hypothesis?
It is an educated guess based on observations and your knowledge of the topic.

You state it as a possible answer to a question.

 Stated in the If.., then. format Example: IF I water three plants with different sodas, THEN the plant that receives Sprite will grow the tallest.

What is data? It is information gathered during an experiment.

It is organized into a data table and displayed visually as a graph.

Graphs
BAR GRAPHS: can be used to show how something changes over time or to compare items. have an x-axis (horizontal) and a y-axis (vertical) the x-axis has time period or what is being measured the y-axis has numbers for the amount of stuff being measured. good when you're plotting data that spans many years (or days, weeks...), has really big changes from year to year (or day to day...), or when you are comparing things.

 LINE GRAPHS: can be used to show how something changes over time x-axis has numbers for the time period y-axis has numbers for what is being measured. can be used when you're plotting data that has peaks (ups) and valleys (downs), or that was collected in a short time period. Used for two sets of numerical data (ex: time and temp)

Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Choose a problem: State the problem as a question. 2. Research your problem: Read, get advice, and make observations. 3. Develop a hypothesis: Make a prediction about what will happen. 4. Design an experiment: Plan how you will test your hypothesis.

 5. Test your hypothesis: Conduct the experiment and record the data. 6. Organize your data: Create a chart or graph of your data. 7. Draw conclusions: Analyze your data and summarize your findings.

Identifying Variables
Independent Variables Dependent Variables Controlled Variables (Constants)

3 Kinds of Variables
Independent Variable something that is changed by the scientist What is tested What is manipulated (changed)

Dependent Variable something that might be affected by the change in the independent variable
What is observed What is measured The data collected during the investigation the numbers Example: how tall the plant grew, how far the paper airplane flew

Example:

Controlled Variable a variable that is not changed Also called CONSTANTS Allow for a fair test Everything in the experiment except for the IV should be kept constant

For Example:

Students of different ages were given the same jigsaw puzzle to put together. They were timed to see how long it took to finish the puzzle.

Identify the Variables in this Experiment:

Independent Variable (IV): Ages of the students Different ages were tested by the scientist Dependent Variable (DV): The time it took to put the puzzle together The time was observed and measured by the scientist

What were the constants?

(1) Same puzzle All of the participants were tested with the same puzzle. It would not have been a fair test if some had an easy 30 piece puzzle and some had a harder 500 piece puzzle. Other constants: (2) same location, (3) same stopwatch, (4) same person timing the experiment

Another Example:
An investigation was done with an electromagnetic system made from a battery and wire wrapped around a nail. Different sizes of nails were used. The number of paper clips the electromagnet could pick up was measured.

What are the Variables?

IV: Sizes of nails These were changed by the scientist DV: Number of paper clips picked up The number of paper clips observed and counted (measured) Constants: Battery, wire, type of nail None of these items were changed

One More
The higher the temperature of water, the faster an egg will boil. Independent variable temperature of water Dependent variable time to cook an egg Constants type of egg, size of egg, amount of water

The greater the amount of soap in a soap and water mixture, the bigger a soap bubble can be blown.

 Design an investigation to test this hypothesis. (1) Identify the variables What exactly will be changed? How will it be changed? IV: amount of soap in mixture What exactly will be measured? How will it be measured? DV: size of bubbles

The farther a ball drops, the higher it will bounce.

Design an investigation to test this hypothesis. (1) Identify the variables

What exactly will be changed? How will it be changed? IV: distance ball drops

What exactly will be measured? How will it be measured?

DV: height of ball bounce