The SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Definition Scientific method - steps used by scientists to solve a problem

1.STATE THE PROBLEM Problem should be objective and testable. Usually comes about by initial observations.

2.RESEARCH THE PROBLEM. Books, internet, people, etc. 3.FORM A HYPOTHESIS. Testable prediction/educated guess in the form of a statement.

4.CONDUCT AN EXPERIMENT. - control group – the group that is NOT subjected to what is being tested (comparison group) - experimental group – the group that is subjected to what is being tested

Variables – things that may change during an experiment –Independent variable – the one thing YOU are doing different between the 2 groups –Dependent variable – what you will measure or observe as a result of doing the experiment Magic question: How does ______________ affect _____________? IVDV

Constants – things that remain the same between the 2 groups

5.RECORD AND ORGANIZE DATA. Organize into tables, charts, or graphs.

6.ANALYZE DATA What does it mean? 7.CONCLUSIONS Was your hypothesis supported or disproved? Were there any errors?

8.REPORT FINDINGS Tell other people.

THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT EXPERIMENTS: -Did they have a large enough sample size? -Do they test only one thing at a time? -Did they use a control group? -Are the results repeatable? (  theories  laws) -Can the results be interpreted differently (“alternate interpretation or explanation”)