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Understanding the Scientific Method: A Simple Guide for Effective Investigations

Explore the scientific method, a systematic approach used by scientists to ask and answer questions through experiments. Learn how to formulate testable questions, make educated hypotheses, conduct experiments, analyze data, and draw conclusions. Discover the importance of controlling variables and creating valid tests in scientific research. Access helpful resources from "They Might Be Giants" and "MYTHBUSTERS" for further understanding.

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Understanding the Scientific Method: A Simple Guide for Effective Investigations

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Presentation Transcript

  1. What is the scientific method? • It is a simple method scientists use to conduct an investigation. • It is a way to ask & answer scientific questions by asking questions & conducting experiments.

  2. I. Question/Problem • Ask a question about something observed. • Why? • How? • What? • Question to be solved. • Must be about something measurable.

  3. Examples of Problems (must be measurable) • Does the amount of sunlight a plant gets affect how it grows? • Does caffeine affect reaction time in middle school students? • Which disinfectant works the best on household germs?

  4. These Are Not Testable Questions • Is Eli Manning the best quarterback of all time? • Does water smell good? • Will the school be open tomorrow? • You cannot answer these questions with an experiment. Opinion questions are not testable.

  5. II. Hypothesis • Educated guess about how things work. • Prediction • Use If, then statements • If ____ [I do this], then _____ [this will happen] • Focus on one variable only. • A variable is something that changes.

  6. Examples • “If we fertilize the tomato plants, they will produce more tomatoes.” • “If caffeine is increased in someone’s body, then their reaction time will be quicker”

  7. III. Experiment • Tests your hypothesis. • Is it accepted (right) or rejected (wrong) ? • Change only one variable at a time. • Use a control or control group (A group that has nothing done to it. Standard used for comparison in an experiment.) • In order for results to be valid, conduct several tests.

  8. III. Experiment • Record your data

  9. IV. Data Analysis • Reduce the data • Average (Mean) • Graph • Graph the data to look for trends & relationships.

  10. V. Conclusion • Summary of your experiment. • After your experiment, analyze your data to see if your hypothesis was accepted or rejected. • If hypothesis is rejected, give possible reasons for the difference between your hypothesis and the experimental results.

  11. They Might Be Giants • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kf51FpBuXQ

  12. MYTHBUSTERS http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpTSA_25wGE

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