Created by: Mrs. Herman 2012. S CIENTIFIC M ETHOD First of all, let’s be honest. There are a lot of scientists out there that don’t really use all the

Created by: Mrs.

Herman2012

SCIENTIFIC METHOD First of all, let’s be honest. There are a lot of

scientists out there that don’t really use all the parts of the scientific method every time they do an experiment.

That being said, we’re still going to study it because it is the proper way to do it, and also the state mandates that all grade levels learn it.

But keep in mind, some of the most important science work starts when people notice something funny, then start questioning why things are happening the way they do.

Every single one of us is a scientist in our own way.

STEP 1: ASK QUESTIONS

Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.

STEP 1: ASK QUESTIONS

A question such as “How do students learn best?” is not clear because there are too

many different ways to test it.

A better question might be, “Do students learn better before or after eating?”

because it only tests one particular thing.

TIP: YOU MUST BE ABLE TO MEASURE THE RESULTS IN SOME WAY FOR IT TO BE

CONSIDERED A TESTABLE QUESTION.

STEP 2: OBSERVE AND RESEARCH

Make observations and research your

topic.

Observations could also come first to help develop a question

VARIABLES IN AN EXPERIMENT

TEST VARIABLE is a variable that causes something to change.

Example: In an experiment to see how different soils affect the growth (or height) of plants, the test variable would be the different kinds of soil.


OUTCOME VARIABLE Is the result of something

that changed. This must be observable or measurable.

Example: In an experiment to see how different soils affect the growth (or height) of plants, the outcome variable is the height of the plants.


CONSTANT are factors that do not

change during an experiment.

Example: In an experiment to see how different soils affect the growth (or height) of plants, the constants would be the amount of sunlight, amount of water, type of plant, etc.


CONTROLa standard against which other conditions can be compared.

Example: In an experiment to see if you add sugar to the soil to help plants grow taller, your control would be a plant without the sugar. All other variables would be the same.

PRACTICEQuestion 1: Will more birds visit the schoolyard if we put up a birdbath?

Test Variable:

Outcome Variable:

putting a birdbath in the school courtyard.

The number of birds

PRACTICEQuestion 2: Does the height of the grass affect the number of robins feeding?

Test Variable:

Outcome Variable:

height of the grass.

The number of robins.

STEP 3: FORMULATE A HYPOTHESIS

Predict a possible answer to the problem or question.

Must be written in an if/then/because statement

Example: If a plant is watered everyday, then it will grow faster because plants need water to grow.

The Scientific Method shows how Mandy set up an experiment to show the relationship between plant growth and amount of water given to the plants. The stated problem was"Does the amount of water affect the growth of bean seeds?"

Mandy's hypothesis was written in "if-then" format: "If I water my plants too little, then they will not grow very much." The if-then statement is made of the test (independent) variable and outcome (dependent) variable. So the hypothesis can be written with this style:

If test variable, then outcome variable.If I don't water my plants, then they will die. If I don't study for my test, then I will fail.

A student was performing an experiment about the rate of photosynthesis in a certain type of algae when it is exposed to different colors of light. Write an if-then hypothesis about this experiment. Identify the test (independent) variables and outcome (dependent) variables.

STEP 4: EXPERIMENT

Develop and follow a procedure.

Must include materials list.

Outcome must be measurable (quantifiable).

EXPERIMENT VS. INVESTIGATION

Experiment – following the scientific method and doing an experiment to find evidence to support or not support a hypothesis.

Example: Testing plant growth in different types of soils.

Investigation – Using observations to study the natural world without interference or manipulation.

Example of an investigation may be walking around school to observe and record different types of organisms in order to create a food web.

STEP 5: COLLECT AND ANALYZE

RESULTS

Includes tables, graphs, pictures, etc.

Outcome(dependent) variable here

Test (independent) variable here

A graph is a visual representation of the data.

DATA COLLECTION: GRAPHS AND CHARTS

Bar Graphs: used to show data that is not continuous. A bar graph allows

us to compare data and make generalizations about the data.

When creating a graph remember:

EXITE – Every X – X-axisI – is theT – test variable

TOYT – title O – outcome variableY – Y - axis

TAILST – Title A – axisI – intervalsL – labelsS - scales

2005 Playoffs – Number of Games Played

Player Games Played

Tim Duncan 23

Manu Ginobili 23

Tony Parker 23

Robert Horry 23

Nazr Mohammed 23

Brent Barry 23

Bruce Bowen 23

Glenn Robinson 13

Beno Udrih 21

Devin Brown 12

Rasho Nesterovic 15

Tony Massenburg 9



Line Graphs: Used for continuous data. Useful for showing trends

over time and making predictions.

When creating a graph remember:

EXITE – Every X – X-axisI – is theT – test variable

TOYT – title O – outcome variableY – Y - axis

TAILST – Title A – axisI – intervalsL – labelsS - scales


Year Games won

1991 - 92 471992 - 93 491993 - 94 551994 - 95 621995 - 96 591996 - 97 201997 - 98 561998 - 99 371999 - 00 532000 - 01 582001 - 02 582002 - 03 602003 - 04 572004 - 05 59

San Antonio Spurs Games Won Each year

Other types of graphs A pie chart (circle graph)

displays data in an easy-to-read 'pie-slice' format. Each slice represent a specific percent of a whole.

A picture graph uses pictures or symbols to show data. One picture often stands for more than one vote so a key is necessary to understand the symbols.


What are SI units?International System of Units

allows all scientists to have a common language.

What are the base SI units?Length meter (m)Mass gram (g)Volume liter (l)Time second (s)Temperature Kelvin (K)

SI UNITSINTERNATIONAL UNITS OF

MEASUREMENT

SI UNITSINTERNATIONAL UNITS OF

MEASUREMENT

kilo-

hecto-

deca-

Base unit

deci-

centi-

milli-

Move decim

al to the

right

Move decim

al to the

left

Unit: can refer to meter, gram, or liter

(k) KILO1000Units

(h) HECTO

100Units

(da) DEKA

10Units (d) DECI

0.1Unit

(c) CENTI

0.01Unit

(m) MILLI0.001Unit

MetersLitersGrams

Ladder Method

How do you use the “ladder” method?

1st – Determine your starting point.

2nd – Count the “jumps” to your ending point.

3rd – Move the decimal the same number of jumps in the same direction.

4 km = _________ m

12

3

How many jumps does it take?

Starting Point Ending Point

4.1

__.2

__.3

__. = 4000 m

STEP 6: CONCLUSION

Summary of information gained during experimentation.

Should be at least a paragraph or more.

CONCLUSION FORMAT State the facts! Give the exact numbers

(averages only) for each test variable.

Say why! Make a statement explaining the trends you observed. Summarize your data if necessary. Why did you see those particular results?

Was your hypothesis supported?

Wrap it up! Discuss any questions you still have, what you might have done differently, and any sources or error.

STEP 7: COMMUNICATE RESULTS

Present the project results to an audience.

PRACTICEBart Simpson believes that mice exposed to microwaves will become extra strong (maybe he’s been reading too much Radioactive Man). He decides to perform this experiment by placing 10 mice in a microwave for 10 seconds. (Do not do this at home. Bart is a misguided fictional character ) He compared these 10 mice to another 10 mice that had not been exposed. His test consisted of a heavy block of wood that blocked the mouse food. He found that 8 out of the 10 microwaved mice were able to push the block away. 7 out of the 10 non-microwaved mice were able to do the same.

PRACTICE1. Identify the problem / question2. Observe / research3. Hypothesis4. Experiment5. Collect and analyze data6. Conclusion7. Communicate results

REPLICATION VS. REPETITION

Repetition is when the same scientist completes multiple

trials to limit the bias of experiment.

REPLICATION VS. REPETITION

Replication is when a different scientist

completes the experiment by following the

procedures. Replication is done to get same/similar results

which create the validity of experiment.

PRACTICECan you explain the difference between repetition and

replication and identify their role in a controlled experiment? Which picture below represents replication and which

represents repetition?

Repetition – same scientist

Replication – different scientist

Why would a scientist use repetition in an experiment?

To verify the accuracy and results of the experiment.To find possible flaws in their experiment

Why would a scientist replicate an experiment?

So scientists can check to see if a controlled experiment was conducted and that good scientific practices were used.

This is called peer review

both

Documents

Created by: Mrs. Herman 2012. S CIENTIFIC M ETHOD First of all, let’s be honest. There are a lot of scientists out there that don’t really use all the