The Scientific Method

1. The Scientific Method

2. Retest Retest

3. The Scientific Method Starts with a question Only tests one question at a time

4. Steps to the Scientific Method Collect Data Analyze Data Draw Conclusions Share Information Observation Research Hypothesis Experiment

6. Starts with…. Observation Using the five senses (taste, touch, smell, sight, sound)

7. Inference A statement about a general situation based on prior knowledge Used to form your question

8. Followed by… Research Books, journals, magazines, newspapers, electronic sources Should be CURRENT

9. Create a….. Hypothesis Educated Guess/Possible Explanation that answers your question If…Then…Because… statement

10. Design an… Experiment Process of testing a hypothesis Must have: Independent Variable/I.V. (manipulated variable)---thing we purposely change Dependent Variable/D.V. (responding variable)—measured response of the I.V. Trials/Sample Size-- # of times experiment is run Control—Experiment run without the I.V. used for comparison Constants– Conditions kept the same for all trials

11. Collect… Data Collected during experiments Two types Quantitative—numerical data (Ex. 1,2,3) Qualitative—descriptive data (Ex. Fast/Slow)

12. Analyze Data… Compare and contrast your findings Expressed in charts and graphs

13. Graphs Need… Depe nden t Var iable Legend: Independent Variable—X-Axis Meaningful Title (The effects of the I.V. on the D.V.) Legend D.V.—Y-Axis I.V.—X-Axis

14. Draw… Conclusions Support or reject hypothesis Retest to make sure you get the same results If rejected, go back and form a new hypothesis and retest Communicate What you discovered Any mistakes or improvements? Sources of errors—Errors in the experiment that may have changed the results

15. Major Discovery? • Theory--Many scientists have tested and gotten the same results • Law - a phenomenon of nature that has been proven to invariably occur whenever certain conditions exist or are met. It is generally accepted to be true and universal.

16. Experimental Design Diagram (EDD)

17. LAB REPORT

18. Area of Interaction (A.O.I.) Choose one of interest Write in 3 – 4 sentences how the lab relates the A.O.I. chosen

19. Guided Question Student generated Clear and concise Must be investigatiable Relates to the purpose

20. Hypothesis Provides an possible explanation that answers your guided question Based on observation, research and past experience Must be an if…then…because statement

21. Materials and Procedures List all the materials needed for the lab in bullet form Write a paragraph or paragraphs explaining each step that is took in order to complete the experiment. Anyone should be able to read this and duplicate your experiment.

22. Results and Data Describe in detail the final outcome of the investigation using words, numbers, pictures, graphs and charts. Sequence the results as the occurred.

23. Conclusion Explain and communicate how the investigation addressed the guiding question and hypothesis. Use complete sentences. Based on evidence and data States if the hypothesis is supported or rejected

24. New Questions 2 questions based on the experiment