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The Scientific Method

The Scientific Method. Explain the steps in the scientific method. Step 1. Ask a Question based on your observations: How, what, why, where, when or who? In order to use the scientific method to answer the question, it must be about something that you can measure, preferably with a number.

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The Scientific Method

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  1. The Scientific Method Explain the steps in the scientific method.

  2. Step 1 • Ask a Question based on your observations: How, what, why, where, when or who? • In order to use the scientific method to answer the question, it must be about something that you can measure, preferably with a number

  3. Step 2 • Conduct background research – • Doing so will provide you with valuable information and help you choose the best way to conduct your experiment

  4. Step 3 • Construct a hypothesis – an educated guess about the question you are trying to answer. • State your hypothesis as an “If . . . . . , then. . .” statement. • You must state your hypothesis in a way that you can easily measure. • Construct your hypothesis so it will help you answer your original question.

  5. Step 4 • Test your hypothesis with an experiment. • Your experiment tests whether your hypothesis is true or false. • Be sure that you are testing only one factor at a time while keeping all other conditions constant

  6. Controlled Experiment • A variable is something that can be changed in the experiment.  Everything else must be the same. Only one variable or condition is changed.

  7. Example • A good problem question for a controlled experiment can usually be phrased in this form: • How does one thing (manipulated variable) affect another thing (responding variable)? • Ex. “How does the temperature of water affect the ability of sugar to dissolve?”

  8. Variables • Manipulated Variables – the variable that is changed and controlled by the scientist. • Responding Variables – the variable that is observed and that changes in response to the manipulated variable.

  9. NOTE ABOUT VARIABLES: • MANIPULATED VARIABLE IS THE SAME THING AS THE INDEPENDENT VARIABLE; • RESPONDING VARIABLE IS THE SAME THING AS THE DEPENDENT VARIABLE;

  10. Other parts of a controlled experiment • A control group should be used when conducting an experiment.  This group is not tested. It is the standard for comparison.

  11. Other parts of a controlled experiment • Constant – factors in an experiment that remain the same. • Why? • No change so there is no influence on the outcome of the experiment.

  12. Example of Controlled Experiment • QUESTION:  How will the amount of fertilizer used  affect plant growth? • HYPOTHESIS:  If the amounts of fertilizer are increased, then there will be greater growth in tomato plants. • TEST VARIABLE:  The amount of fertilizer used.

  13. Example, continued • TEST CONSTANTS: • The seeds must all come from the same package. • All seeds must be planted in the same sized pots with similar soil. • All plants must receive exactly the same amount of water and light. • The temperature should be the same for all test plants.

  14. Control group • Set one group as the CONTROL GROUP.  This group is not given fertilizer. • Set up two other test groups.  Once receives a certain amount of fertilizer and the other receives twice as much.

  15. Example, continued • ANALYSIS OF DATA:  A triple bar graph or line graph of the growth of your plants. CONCLUSION:  Which plant group grew the most?  Why or why not?  What would you do differently next time?

  16. Back to the scientific method • Step 5: Collect/record data from your experiment • Step 6: Draw a conclusion – analyze your results to see if your hypothesis is true or false.

  17. In the real world • Repeated experimentation leads to the formation of a: • Theory – a well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations

  18. Lab report template • Lab Report Template • Title: • * a brief, concise, yet descriptive title • Statement of the Problem: • * What question(s) are you trying to answer? * Include any preliminary observations or background information about the subject • Hypothesis: • * Write a possible solution for the problem.* Make sure this possible solution is a complete sentence.* Make sure the statement is testable.

  19. Lab Report Template • Materials: • * Make a list of ALL items used in the lab. • Procedure: • * Write a paragraph (complete sentences) which explains what you did in the lab. * Your procedure should be written so that anyone else could repeat the experiment. • Results (Data): • * This section should include any data tables, observations, or additional notes you make during the lab. * You may attach a separate sheet(s) if necessary.* All tables, graphs and charts should be labeled appropriately

  20. Lab report template • Conclusions: • * Accept or reject your hypothesis.* EXPLAIN why you accepted or rejected your hypothesis using data from the lab.* Include a summary of the data - averages, highest, lowest..etc to help the reader understand your results* List one thing you learned and describe how it applies to a real-life situation. *Discuss possible errors that could have occurred in the collection of the data (experimental errors)

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