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Scientific Method

Explore the scientific method from observation to conclusion in medical and everyday science. Learn about making observations, formulating hypotheses, conducting experiments, collecting data, and drawing conclusions. Discover the importance of controls and variables in experiments.

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Scientific Method

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  1. Scientific Method

  2. A. Defintion • a method of research in which a problem is identified, relevant data are gathered, a hypothesis is formulated  from these data, and the hypothesis is tested.

  3. B. Scientific MethodListing the Steps • Make an Observation • Define the Problem • Research the Problem • State the Hypothesis • Experiment to test Hypothesis • Collect and Record Data • Analyze Data • Draw Conclusions • Determine Limitations • Report Results If needed, Do more investigation

  4. Medical Science

  5. Everyday Science

  6. A. Observations 1. Information that is gathered through your senses How A scientist notices something in their natural world

  7. Observations • An exampleof an observation might be noticing that many salamanders near a pond have curved, not straight, tails

  8. There are two types of data: descriptions and involve characteristics that cannot be counted. 2. Qualitative data are: 3. Quantitative data are: numbers and are obtained by counting or measuring.

  9. As we all know, frogs have four legs. What’s up with thesefroggies? . Observing • Make an observation • See somethingunusual • Frogs withincorrectnumber oflegs!

  10. Questioning • Recognize, state or define the problem • Must be in the form of a question • The obvious question is:  • What is causing these deformities?

  11. Researching • Gather information related to the problem • Read, observe, measure, take samples, etc. • How frogs normally develop from eggs • The % of frogs with the deformities • Number of other species in the pond with deformities • Previous or new pollutantsin the pond • Change in amount of UV (sunlight) exposure on eggs • Etc.

  12. B. Hypothesis 1. Def -A suggested solution to the problem. • Must be testable • Sometimes written as If…Then… statements • Predicts an outcome

  13. Hypothesis • An example of a hypothesis might be “If salamanders have curved tails,the they were exposed to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live.

  14. C. Experiment • 1. def -A procedure to test the hypothesis.

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

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

  17. Variables • B. The factor that is changed is known as the independent variable. • C. The factor that is measured or observed is called the dependent variable.

  18. d. The Control Variable • The experimenter makes a special effort to keep other factors constant so that they will not effect the outcome. • Those factors are called control variables.

  19. Experiment 3. A controlled experiment will only have ONE variable!

  20. Groups C. Experimental Group Has varying levels of the variable that is being tested Used to determine the effects that differing amounts of the independent variable have on the dependent variable • B. Control Group • Does not have the variable that is being tested • If the variable can not be removed (i.e. temperature) the variable that is being tested will be under normal conditions

  21. What is the Purpose of a Control? • Controls are NOT being tested • Controls are used for COMPARISON

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

  23. What are the Variables in Your Experiment? • Varying the route is the independent variable • The time it takes is the dependent variable • Keeping the same walker throughout makes the walker a control variable.

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

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

  26. D. Data • 1. def - Results of the experiment • May be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative

  27. D. Data • Must be organized • Can be organized into charts, tables, or graphs

  28. E. Conclusion • The answer to the hypothesis based on the data obtained from the experiment

  29. Retest In order to verify the results, experiments must be retested.

  30. 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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