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Scientific MethodScientific Method

Problem StatementProblem Statement

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What is a Problem Statement?What is a Problem Statement?

The question that you select for The question that you select for your investigation – the basis of your investigation – the basis of your experiment. your experiment.

The research and experiment The research and experiment you will be conducting center you will be conducting center around finding an answer to the around finding an answer to the question or problem statement. question or problem statement.

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A A Good Problem Statement Good Problem Statement (or Purpose)(or Purpose)

The problem statement only needs to be The problem statement only needs to be one sentence longone sentence long..

The problem statement is The problem statement is alwaysalways in the in the form of a form of a questionquestion..

Should be Should be open-endedopen-ended (not answered by (not answered by yes or no)yes or no)

A problem statement A problem statement includes what is includes what is changedchanged (independent variable) and (independent variable) and what is what is measuredmeasured (dependent variable). (dependent variable).

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A Good Problem StatementA Good Problem Statement

How does light affect the reproduction How does light affect the reproduction of bread mold on white bread?of bread mold on white bread?

Note the question is about:Note the question is about: one life processone life process one type of moldone type of mold one type of bread one type of bread one factor that affects it growthone factor that affects it growth

(reproduction)

(bread mold)(bread mold)

(white bread)(white bread)

(light)(light)

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A Poor Problem Statement A Poor Problem Statement

How does light affect molds?How does light affect molds?

Note the question would have to test:Note the question would have to test: all the life processes of moldall the life processes of mold all types of moldall types of mold all types of growth mediums all types of growth mediums one factor that affects its growth (light)one factor that affects its growth (light)

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Choose a problem that can be Choose a problem that can be solved experimentallysolved experimentally

Look at each question below and evaluate. Is it an example of a good or poor problem statement? Explain why.

What is mold? Poor problem statement because it can be answered by

finding the definition of the word mold in the dictionary.

Will a green plant stay green if grown in the dark? Poor problem statement because it can be answered by

a yes or no.

How does temperature affect the growth rate of bread mold on white bread? Good problem statement because it can be answered

by experimentation.

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Now, pick 1 bad problem statement and re-write it to make it better. Use the following templates or your own:

What is the effect of (a) on (b)? How does (a) affect (b)? In what way does (b) depend on (a)? Which (a) will (b)?

(a) - is the independent variable

(b) - is the dependent variable