The Scientific Method A simple process answering a question A simple process answering a question
Example #1: 1. Observation: Turn on flashlight button and no light
2. State the problem/question. Why is the flashlight not working?
3. Form a hypothesis (“educated” guess) Flashlight batteries are dead, causing flashlight to not work.
4. Collect data by testing your hypothesis. Replace old batteries with new ones, making sure they are inserted correctly. Flashlight still does not work!
2 Types of Data Quantitative: uses numbers (measuring, counting) Quantitative: uses numbers (measuring, counting) Qualitative: does not use numbers (works, doesn’t work) Qualitative: does not use numbers (works, doesn’t work)
A good experiment has: Variable (changes) Independent Variable = thing experimenter makes different ex. New batteries or old? Dependent Variable = what happens when the independent variable is applied ex. Does flashlight work or not?
and a “control” group. The group you are comparing the experimental group to; The group you are comparing the experimental group to; Ex. If testing a drug for its ability to lower blood pressure, the control group would not get the active drug but would get a “placebo” (a pill with no active ingredients) Ex. If testing a drug for its ability to lower blood pressure, the control group would not get the active drug but would get a “placebo” (a pill with no active ingredients)
5. Analyze data. Organize data in a meaningful way, look for patterns. Organize data in a meaningful way, look for patterns. Charts Charts Graphs Graphs Tables Tables
6. Conclusion Experimental answer to your problem. Experimental answer to your problem. Conclusion may verify or disprove your hypothesis. Conclusion may verify or disprove your hypothesis.
7. Verify results. (This strengthens your research) Theory: when a hypothesis is verified Theory: when a hypothesis is verified Law: when a theory is tested repeatedly with same results Law: when a theory is tested repeatedly with same results