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Scientific Method

Learn about the essential steps in the scientific method: observation, hypothesis, experiment, data collection, conclusion, and retest. Understand how to formulate testable hypotheses and conduct valid experiments with control and experimental groups.

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Scientific Method

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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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