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Scientific Method

Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method. Observation/Problem Hypothesis Experiment Materials Procedure Results (Data) Analysis (includes graphs) Conclusion. Observations/Problem. Gathered through your senses A scientist notices something in their natural world

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Scientific Method

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  1. Scientific Method

  2. Steps in the Scientific Method • Observation/Problem • Hypothesis • Experiment • Materials • Procedure • Results (Data) • Analysis (includes graphs) • Conclusion

  3. Observations/Problem • Gathered through your senses • A scientist notices something in their natural world • THEN asks a “WHY” question

  4. Observations: • An exampleof an observation might be noticing that many salamanders near a pond have curved, not straight, tails • The PROBLEM would be “Why do they have curved tails?”

  5. Hypothesis • A suggested solution to the problem. • Must be testable • Usually written as If…Then… statements • Predicts an outcome

  6. Hypothesis • An example of a hypothesis might be: “If the salamander is exposed to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live then they will have a curved tail.”

  7. EXPERIMENT • An experiment is used to test the hypothesis. It must have materials, a procedure and will get results.

  8. EXPERIMENTSHAVE THREE PARTS: 1.Materials – what do you need for the experiment? 2. Procedure – what are you doing to do? 3. Results – what did you find (data)?

  9. Experiments: Variable – factor in the experiment that is being tested A “good” experiment will have at least two VARIABLES

  10. VARIABLES: • An experimenter changes one factor (INDEPENDENT VARIABLE) andobserves or measures the DEPENDANT VARIABLE.

  11. Independent variable – the factor the experimenter changes or controls • Dependent variable – the factor changed by the independent variable (DEPENDANT on it); this is the factor measured for change

  12. The Control/Constants: • CONTROL– the source of COMPARISON for the experiment; the independent variable is NOT given to this group • CONSTANT – factors that are not changed throughout the experiment (procedures, tools, chemicals, room temperature, etc)

  13. What is the Purpose of a Control? • Controls are NOT being tested • Controls are used for COMPARISON

  14. Example of Controls & Variables • For example, suppose you want to figure out the fastest route to walk home from school. • You will try several different routes and time how long it takes you to get home by each one. • Since you are only interested in finding a route that is fastest for you, you will do the walking yourself.

  15. What are the Variables in Your Experiment? • Varying the route is the independent variable • The time it takes is the dependent variable • Keeping the same walker throughout makes the walker a control.

  16. IF I walk different routes home, then I can find out which route is the fastest. • IF is Independent • Then is dependent on the If.

  17. One more thing… it is best to make several trials with each independent variable.

  18. To be a Valid Experiment: • Two groups are required --- • 1. a control group and • 2. an experimental group; this group receives the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

  19. Results • Are the DATAfrom the experiment • Results are either: • Quantitative – data that is a quantity (numbers) • Qualitative – data that is subjective (color, feeling, opinion,etc)

  20. Data • Must be organized • Can be organized into charts or tables. • It is just data.

  21. Analysis: • Analysis is where you write about the data you got. • It is written in WORDS and summarizes your findings. • It is the place for GRAPHS to explain the numbers.

  22. Conclusion Paragraph(AT LEAST 5 sentences long) • Summarize problem/hypothesis (why do it?) • Summarize procedure (what did you do?) • Summarize data (what did you find?) • Analyze data (what does it mean?) • Explain what could be done next (what next?)

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