2. SCIENTIFIC METHOD
The scientific method is a series of steps and a thought process used to solve problems.
Scientific Method is used every day by all sorts of people…not just scientists!
There are 6 steps to completion of the scientific method.

3. Step #1. 1. Purpose - What do you want to learn?? What is the problem?
This may begin with asking a question.
Ex: What is the disease-causing agent?

4. Step #2. 2. Research/Collecting Data. Observing Measuring Sampling
Organizing data

5. Step #3. 3. Hypothesis An educated guess CAN BE TESTED!!!
Can be supported or not supported….never true or false.
Written in the “if-then” form.

6. Examples of “If-then” form
If detergents were to be tested, then ERA would clean the best.
If mice are subjected to microwaves, then they will have a shorter life span.
If the virus were the true disease-causing agent, then introducing the virus into healthy tissue would cause cell death.

7. Step #4.
4. Experiment
Process of testing hypothesis by gathering data under controlled conditions

8. Parts of an experiment Variables = things that change
Independent variable - manipulated by the experimenter.
Example…amount of dog food
Dependent variable-it is dependent on the independent variable. It RESPONDS to the experiment.
Example…weight of dog

9. Parts of experiment continued…
Control - What you compare to….a standard.
Constant - Something that never changes. Variables should be the only thing that is different…everything else should be held constant!
Theory = suggested EXPLANATION.

10. Step #5.
5. Analysis
Collecting and organizing data from the experiment
Graphs
Models

11. Step #6
6. Conclusion
Stating whether the hypothesis was supported or not supported
Sum up the experiment

12. There are rules & guidelines to graphing.
You must always title your graph.
You must always label the x & y axis including the measurements!
The independent variable always goes on the x-axis.
The dependent variable always goes on the y-axis.
You must always mark the #’s in equal step intervals.
Make straight/accurate lines. Be neat!

13. GOOD
BAD

14. We will be making LINE graphs
We will be making LINE graphs. You will plot the points and then connect them with a straight line.

15. LINE graph = find the relationship between two variables.
BAR = show a #
PIE = show %
When making a graph, make sure you use all available space and make the line take up the size of the graph.
Go to the following link for some exapmles: