The Scientific Method

1. The Scientific Method High School Science

2. Why use The Scientific Method? • How can we determine if something is a fact or an opinion? • How can we determine an answer to a problem? The answer is use the scientific method.

3. Problem Solving Steps in Science 1. State a Question or Problem to solve 2. Gather Information about the problem 3. Form a Hypothesis 4. Perform an Experiment 5. Collect Data from the experiment 6. Report Theoryor Conclusion

5. 1. Question or Problem • The scientist is presented with a question or problem to answer. • Make sure only one problem is being studied.

6. 2. Gather Information • The scientist does background research to see what other scientists have done before. • Use all available resources to collect data such as: the internet, books, magazines, personal interviews, etc.

7. 3. Hypothesis • The scientist offers an educated guess (prediction) at the explanation or possible solution. • Remember your hypothesis can be changed it is not formed in concrete.

8. 4. Experiment • The scientist performs a controlled experiment to test the hypothesis. • A controlled experiment is an experiment that contains only one experimental variable.

9. 5. Collect Data • The scientist uses scientific tools to obtain information from the experiment. • The new data may or may not support the hypothesis.

10. Remember: “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” --Thomas Edison

11. 6. Theory or Conclusion • The experiment must be repeated many times by other scientists. • If the hypothesis is proven wrong, change the hypothesis, not the data.

13. Any Questions? “He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.” --Chinese proverb