1. Scientific Method Overview
Seven steps:
Choose problem
Research problem
Develop hypothesis
Write procedures
Test hypothesis
Organize data
State conclusions

2. Choose a Problem What do you want to learn more about?
Ask a specific question
Ex 1:
Do plants need water to grow?
Ex: 2:
Is Mr. Pullins the best teacher of all time?

3. Research Your Problem How can you find the answer to your question?
Library
Internet
Adults
Your own background knowledge!

4. Develop a Hypothesis THE
What do you think the answer to your question will be?
Hypothesis-
A statement that tries to explain a relationship between two variables
THE
They’re sisters…

5. Still Developing Hypothesis…
Use the words IF and THEN
Ex 1:
IF you water a plant more, THEN it will grow taller
Ex 2:
IF Mr. Pullins is your teacher, THEN you will become a genius!
IF IF IF IF IF IF IF IF THEN
THEN

6. Still Developing Hypothesis…
What is a variable again?
Variable:
Anything that can be changed or manipulated during an experiment
Ex 1:
Type of plant, amount of water, sun exposure, etc.
Ex 2:
Time of day with Mr. Decker vs. Pullins, how much time spent, etc
2A + 3 = 7
2B + 3 = 7
2C + 3 = 7
2D + 3 = 7
2E + 3 = 7

7. Write Procedures How will you test your hypothesis? List materials
List each thing that you will do
Number each step
Write down EVERYTHING you will do
Anyone should be able to replicate your experiment

8. Test Your Hypothesis Obtain materials Conduct experiment
Follow your procedure… exactly
Be sure to control your variables
Variable-
Anything that can change or vary during an experiment

9. Controlling Variables
You need to know exactly what you are testing…
…You have to control EVERYTHING
Three different types:
Independent variable
Dependant variable
Control variables

10. Independent Variable Independent variable- Example hypothesis:
The variable that you are changing or testing
Example hypothesis:
IF you water a plant more, THEN it will grow taller
Water is the independent variable
It will always be the IF portion of your hypothesis

11. Dependent Variable Dependent variable- Example hypothesis:
Changes in response to the independent variable
The variable you are measuring
Example hypothesis:
IF you water a plant more, THEN it will grow taller
Plant height is the dependent variable
It will always be the THEN portion of your hypothesis

12. Control Variables Control variables- Example hypothesis:
Variables that are unchanged throughout the experiment
Example hypothesis:
IF you water a plant more, THEN it will grow taller
Controlled variables:
Soil, age of plant, type of plant, amount of sunlight, etc..

13. Organize Data Organize data into the following: Draw pictures
Tables
Charts
Graphs
Draw pictures
Take photos

14. State Conclusions What did you see, hear, smell, taste, etc?
Qualitative data
Data that can’t be measured
This baby has perfect teeth
What does your numerical data show you?
Quantitative data
Data that can be measured
This baby is 86 cm long

15. State Conclusions
Decide what your data tells you about your hypothesis
Decide how your hypothesis might change based on your results
Communicate your results with others!