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Published byCandace Malone Modified over 9 years ago
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The Scientific Method
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The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate a natural occurrence.
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We shall take a closer look at these steps and the terminology you will need to understand before you start a science project or do a laboratory exercise.
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Problem/Question Observation/Research Formulate a Hypothesis Experiment Collect and Analyze Results Conclusion Communicate the Results
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Steps of the Scientific Method Problem/Question Problem/Question: Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.
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Steps of the Scientific Method Observation/Research Observation/Research: Make observations and research your topic of interest.
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Steps of the Scientific Method Formulate a Hypothesis Formulate a Hypothesis: Predict a possible answer to the problem or question. Example: If soil temperatures rise, then plant growth will increase.
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Steps of the Scientific Method Experiment Experiment: Develop and follow a procedure. Include a detailed materials list. The outcome must be measurable.
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Steps of the Scientific Method Collect and Analyze Results Collect and Analyze Results: Modify the procedure if needed. Confirm the results by retesting. Include tables, graphs, and photographs.
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Steps of the Scientific Method Conclusion Conclusion: Include a statement that accepts or rejects the hypothesis. Make recommendations for further study and possible improvements to the procedure.
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Steps of the Scientific Method Communicate the Results Communicate the Results: Be prepared to present the project to an audience. Expect questions from the audience.
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John watches his grandmother bake bread. He ask his grandmother what makes the bread rise. She explains that yeast releases a gas as it feeds on sugar (fermentation).
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Problem/Question John wonders if the amount of sugar used in the recipe will affect the size of the bread loaf?
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Caution with Terms Be careful how you use effect and affect. Effect is usually a noun and affect, a verb. “ The effect of sugar amounts on the rising of bread.” “How does sugar affect the rising of bread?”
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Problem/Question Activity: Come up with a problem or question you might have in your own life. Answer these questions: 1)What materials are available? 2)What action can be observed? 3)What can I change to get a different action? 4)What ways can I measure a response to the change? Ex. My car won’t start
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Problem/Question General topic: Plants Answer these questions: 1)What materials are available? Soil, Plants, Fertilizer, Water, Light/Heat, 2)What action can be observed? Plants grow 3)What can I change to get a different action? Plants spacing, kind, amount of water, location of hole 4)What ways can I measure a response to the change? Count the number of leaves, Measure the height, Weigh the fruit produced
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Observation/Research John researches the areas of baking and fermentation and tries to come up with a way to test his question. He keeps all of his information on this topic in a journal.
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Observation/Research Activity: Make a short list of the things you already know about that topic. Ex. 1.Cars need gas 2.Cars need electricity from the battery 3.Cars need oil
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Formulate a Hypothesis
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Hypothesis The hypothesis is an educated guess about the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
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Do you know the difference between the independent and dependent variables?
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Independent Variable The independent, or manipulated variable, is a factor that’s intentionally varied by the experimenter. John is going to use 25g., 50g., 100g., 250g., 500g. of sugar in his experiment.
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Dependent Variable The dependent, or responding variable, is the factor that may change as a result of changes made in the independent variable. In this case, it would be the size of the loaf of bread.
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Formulate a Hypothesis Activity: Develop a Hypothesis Ex. If I put gas in my car, then it will start.
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Experiment John comes up with a procedure and list of needed materials. John discusses with his teacher how to determine the control group.
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Control Group In a scientific experiment, the control is the group that serves as the standard of comparison. The control group may be a “no treatment" or an “experimenter selected” group.
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Control Group The control group is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group, except for the variable being tested. All experiments should have a control group.
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Control Group Because his grandmother always used 50g. of sugar in her recipe, John is going to use that amount in his control group.
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Constants John remembers to keep all other factors the same so that any observed changes in the bread can be attributed to the variation in the amount of sugar.
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Constants The constants in an experiment are all the factors that the experimenter attempts to keep the same. What would be some constants in this experiment?
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Project Design Get someone’s opinion on your experimental design before you begin. Look at all the variables. Independent as well as dependent Open ended questions are a way of allowing for critical thinking to begin, but sometimes we start with the basics. Following directions are essential when doing a lab.
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Experiment Activity: Develop a materials list and identify a control group. Ex. Materials: 5 gallon gas can, 5 gallons gasoline, money to buy gasoline, a ride to the gas station Control group: Not doing anything to the car.
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Experiment Activity: Develop a procedure for your experiment. Procedure: First, I will call my friend Bill and ask for a ride to the gas station. I will take the five gallon gas can and fill it with five gallons of gasoline at the pump. After paying the gas station owner for the gasoline, I will get a ride back to my car and put the gasoline in the tank. Once the gasoline is in the tank, I will attempt to restart the car.
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Collect and Analyze Results Activity: Make up realistic data. Ex. Action performed Did nothing Added gas Pumped the peddle ResultDidn’t start Almost started Started
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Conclusions Activity: Draw your own conclusions Ex. My hypothesis was supported by the data. It shows that after adding gas the car started.
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A graphic organizer is an instructional tool used to visually illustrate a topic.
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describe a central idea
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describe the stages of something –the life cycle of a primate –a sequence of events
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time lines –showing historical events or ages –degrees of something
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Compare/Contrast –How are they similar? –How are they different? Name 1Name 2 Attribute 1 Attribute 2 Attribute 3
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Problem/Solution Outline –What was the problem? –What attempts were made to solve the problem? –Did those attempts succeed?
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Network Tree –show causal information (causes of poverty), –a hierarchy (types of insects) –branching procedures (the circulatory system)
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Cycle –weather phenomena –the life cycle –water cycle
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