The Scientific Method

1. The Scientific Method

2. What is it? • The scientific method is a series of steps that scientists use to answer questions and solve problems. • We believe this was thought of by the Muslims in the 2nd century. • Credit is sometimes given to Roger Bacon (13th century) • Galileo is the “father” of the scientific method. (16th century)

3. What are the steps? • Question/Problem • Research/Observations • Hypothesis • Test/Experiment • Analyze Results • Draw Conclusions

4. Question/Problem • Scientists ask questions that need a scientific answer. • Example: Do green eggs and ham taste different from regular eggs and ham?

5. Research/Observations • Scientists research the information and makes observations of the problem. • You make observations of the green eggs and ham and the regular eggs and ham. You record your observations (look, smell, feel, etc). • You research the food dye that was used to dye the food green.

6. Hypothesis • Scientists form a possible explanation or answer to the question. An EDUCATED GUESS. • This can be done by making observations and/or by researching the problem. • Example: I think that green eggs and ham taste no different than regular eggs and ham.

7. Test • Test the hypothesis with observations or experiments. • Example: • Put green food dye in a batch of scrambled eggs. • Make regular scrambled eggs. • Have a group of 20 people taste both types of eggs.

8. Analyze the results • Analyze the results of the tests. Examine the data, and look for patterns. • Example: After testing, you find that 19 out of the 20 people feel that there is no difference in taste.

9. Draw Conclusion • You must conclude whether the results supported the hypothesis. • If the hypothesis was not supported, scientists may repeat the investigation to check for errors or ask new questions and form a new hypothesis.

10. Draw Conclusion • Example: • My hypothesis was supported because the group that was tested revealed that there was no taste difference. • Or: My hypothesis was NOT supported because the group that was tested revealed that there was taste difference.

11. Communicate the Results • When the investigation is over, scientists communicate their results. • Scientists share what they have learned so that other people may repeat the investigation to see if they get the same results. • Science depends on the sharing of information.