The Scientific Method

1. The Scientific Method

2. Why do we need a method? • Scientists need a reliable system for answering questions. • The method ensures that another scientist could repeat your experiment and get the same results.

3. 1. Identify a Question • All science experiments start with a question. • Types of Questions: • Relationships: How does one thing affect another? • Example: How does the amount of sleep affect a student’s performance in class the next day? • Investigations: Exploring a topic • Example: Which common substances dissolve in water?

4. 2. Collect Information • Scientists do research about their question. • They read about other experiments on the same topic.

5. 3. Form a Hypothesis • Research allows a scientist to make an educated guess to answer their question • This educated guess is called a hypothesis.

6. 4. Design and Carry Out an Experiment • Scientists must then design and carry out an experiment that will test their hypothesis. • They must be careful to consider all variables that affect their results. • A variable is something that can be changed in an experiment (ex: temperature)

7. 5. Do Observations • Scientists need to observe the results of their experiment. • These can be measurements, or experiences. • Examples: • The magnesium bubbled and dissolved in the acid • There were 25.2 mL of gas produced in the reaction.

8. 6. Make Conclusions • Scientists lastly must make conclusions about their experiment. • Their conclusions do 3 things: • Look back at the hypothesis. Was it correct? • Summarize all of your findings. What did you discover? • Report your findings so that other scientists can follow your work.