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Scientific Method
Steps of the Scientific Method
Question
Research
Hypothesis
Analysis ConclusionInvestigation/ Experiment
Scientific Method
1. Starts with a QUESTION– How do I make a PB & J sandwich?
2. HYPOTHESIS—educated prediction of the outcome– Always in the form of a specific statement
(complete sentence)– I believe that these are the steps to making a
PB & J: (1) take two pieces of bread from the bag, (2) etc.
Scientific Method (ctd.)
3. EXPERIMENT—test your hypothesis– Try to make a PB & J using the directions in your
hypothesis
4. ANALYSIS—look at the data that you gathered and decide what that data means– Could you make a PB & J using your instructions?
5. CONCLUSION—was your hypothesis correct?– If not, use the information you gathered to construct a
new hypothesis and conduct a new experiment
Using the Scientific Method
• QUESTION
• HYPOTHESIS
• EXPERIMENT
• ANALYSIS
• CONCLUSION
Vocabulary
Experiment: artificial situation in which the investigator controls the factors that could affect the outcome
Variable: the factor that might affect the outcome
Control: the factor that has NO affect on the outcome and is only used for comparison during an experiment
Kinds of VariablesINDEPENDENT
• Controlled by the experimenter
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.
DEPENDENT
• Responds to and measures changes in the independent variable.
Collect / Organize Data
Once you collect data, you need to organize it into a data table and/ or a graph.
Independent Variable
Dep
end
ent
Var
iab
le
Identifying Variables
Situation: You are investigating the body temperature of a frog at different times of day. You decide to take a temperature reading in the morning, at noon, at night, and midnight.
• Independent variable is….time because you are controlling the times it is being collected.
• Dependent variable is . . . The frog’s body temperature. You have no control over the frog’s body temperature; you are simply observing it.
Setting Up a Controlled Experiment
• What is the QUESTION?
• HYPOTHESIS
• Identify the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE(S)
• Identify the DEPENDENT VARIABLE
• Identify the CONTROL
• How will you collect data
Controlled Experiments
You have been asked to test the effectiveness of a new waterproof
mascara
• Control?
• Independent variable?
• Dependent variable?
You have been asked to test the effectiveness of a new teeth whitener
• Control?
• Independent variable?
• Dependent variable?
You have been asked to test the effectiveness of a new fuel additive.
• Control?
• Independent variable?
• Dependent variable?