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Steps in the Scientific Method: Observation, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Collection, Conclusion, Retest

Learn about the steps in the scientific method, including observation, hypothesis formulation, experiment design, data collection, conclusion formation, and retesting. Understand the importance of control and experimental groups, variables, and data organization.

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Steps in the Scientific Method: Observation, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Collection, Conclusion, Retest

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  1. Scientific Method

  2. Steps in the Scientific Method • Observation • Hypothesis • Experiment • Data Collection • Conclusion • Retest

  3. Observations • Gathered through your senses • A scientist notices something in their natural world

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

  5. Hypothesis • A suggested solution to the problem. • Must be testable • Sometimes written as If…Then… statements • Predicts an outcome

  6. Hypothesis • An example of a hypothesis:If there is a pollutant in moist soil where salamanders live, then salamanders have curved tails

  7. Experiment • A procedure to test the hypothesis.

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

  9. Experiment A good or “valid” experiment will only have ONE independent variable!

  10. Scientific Experiments Follow Rules • An experimenter changesone factor andobserves or measures what happens.

  11. Constants and Variables

  12. Variables • The factor that is changed is known as the independent variable (treatment). • The factor that is measured or observed is called the dependent variable.

  13. Constants • The experimenter makes a special effort to keep other factors constant so that they will not effect the outcome. • Those factors are called Constants.

  14. Two Test Groups in Experiments

  15. What is the Purpose of a Control Group? • Control Groups are NOT being tested • Control Groups are used for COMPARISON

  16. What is the Purpose of the Experimental Group? • Experimental Group is being tested. • Experimental Group is given the independent variable (treatment)

  17. Example of Groups & Variables • For example, suppose you want to figure out if polluted soil affects salamander tails • You will try several different soils (independent variable) • Same species of salamander is the constant. What other constants? • Control Group – Salamanders in normal soil • Experimental Group – Salamanders in different levels of polluted soil

  18. One more thing… it is best to make several trials with the independent variable.

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

  20. Data • Results of the experiment • May be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative

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

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

  23. Retest to be Valid In order to validate the results, experiments must be retested.

  24. 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 to be Valid

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