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Scientific Method

Scientific Method. Steps in the Scientific Method. Observation Hypothesis Experiment Results (collect data) Conclusion Retest. Observations. Gathered through your senses A scientist notices something in their natural world that leads to a question. Observations.

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Scientific Method

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  1. Scientific Method

  2. Steps in the Scientific Method • Observation • Hypothesis • Experiment • Results (collect data) • Conclusion • Retest

  3. Observations • Gathered through your senses • A scientist notices something in their natural world that leads to a question.

  4. Observations • An exampleof an observation might be noticing that many salamanders near a pond dark spots on their tails

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

  6. Hypothesis • An example of a hypothesis might be that the salamanders have curved tails due to the environment where they live.

  7. Experiment • A procedure to test the hypothesis.

  8. Experiment Variable – factor in the experiment that is being tested

  9. Experiment A good or “valid” experiment will only have ONE tested independent variable!

  10. Controls and Variables

  11. Scientific Experiments Follow Rules • An experimenter changes one factor andobserves or measureswhat happens.

  12. The Control Variable • The experimenter makes a special effort to keep other factors constant so that they will not effect the outcome.

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

  14. Other Variables • The factor that is changed by the experimenter is known as the independent variable. • The factor that is being measured or is unknown is called the dependent variable.

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

  16. What are the Variables in Your Experiment? • Varying the route is the independent variable • The time it takes is the dependent variable • The control is the regular route.

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

  18. Remember: To be a Valid Experiment: • Two groups are required --- the control & experimental groups • There should be only onevariable tested at a time

  19. Data • Results of the experiment • May be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative (written observations)

  20. Data • Must be shared with others. • Can be organized into charts, tables, or graphs

  21. Conclusion • Agrees or disagrees with the hypothesis based on the data obtained from the experiment

  22. Retest Change the hypothesis or in order to verify the results, retest the experiment.

  23. Review

  24. Solving a Problem 1)Identify a Problem 2) State Observations about the problem 3) Form a Hypothesis about the problem (if…then…) 4) Design an Experiment to test the hypothesis 5) Collect Data 6) Form a Conclusion 7) Retest

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