Ask Question Begins with a question or problem about an observation. A Scientific question can be answered by making observations and gathering evidence. Scientific questions CANNOT answer questions about personal tastes or judgments.

SRP: Topic Question (3) manipulative variables Responding variable Example: Which candy bar melts the fastest Hershey’s chocolate, twix, or snickers?

Do Background Research Scientists research and find information about their question. Background information helps scientists to develop a hypothesis and predict what might happen.

SRP: Review of Literature Background information on your topic. Example:

Construct Hypothesis Possible explanation for a set of observations or answer to scientific question. Must be testable, must be able to carry out investigations and gather evidence that will support or disprove the hypothesis.

SRP: Hypothesis Used the “I think that” statement with supportive evidence from Review of Literature. Example: I think that Hershey will melt faster than twix or snickers. I think Hershey will melt faster at lower temperature. I think that the nugget in twix and peanuts in snickers will take longer to melt at a higher temperature.

Test with an Experiment Scientist would develop an experiment that can test their hypothesis. Scientists list all variables that could affect the results.

SRP: Designing an Experiment Created and conducted an experiment. Collected data and graphed the results. Example:

Analyze the Results & Draw a Conclusion Scientist after an experiment review and interpret data. Scientist summarize what happened by asking themselves questions; did the data support the hypothesis, was there enough data collected?

SRP: Conclusion Summarize the experiment by answering the following questions. Example:

Reporting Results Scientists communicate and share their findings of their experiment. Scientists will reevaluate the experimental procedures and repeat the experiment to build on their ideas.

SRP: Final Research Paper Developed a finalized report about the experiment that was conducted using the scientific method. Example: