Methods of Scientific Investigation Once known as The Scientific Method

Things to keep in mind: It is an ongoing process with a goal in mind The steps are flexible- Not a one size fits all routine Some steps may be repeated multiple times process is just as important as results Do you know why you are doing what you are doing? Are you making meaningful decisions based on your results? What do you hope to see with your changes?

The parts

The beginning Observation Asking questions Wanting to solve a problem These could be done in any order Help you to figure out what you want to know Help you decide what to test The beginning Observation Asking questions Wanting to solve a problem Hypothesizing Predicting

The MIDDLE Planning Determining variables or factors These could be done in any order Help you to figure out what you want to know Help you decide what to test The MIDDLE Planning Determining variables or factors (dependent vs. independent ring a bell) Planning your course of action Testing your course of action, collecting and organizing data Revising your course of action Testing again and again and again

Side NOTE 1 Control Setup Dependent Variable/Factor What you hope to see change when you change a factor Independent Variable/Factor Factor you change in order to see results Control Setup Setup where nothing changes in order to make a comparison FOR EXAMPLE: I decide to see how much water a plant needs to grow. I set up 4 pots with 4 of the same plants, the same type and amount of soil, and put them in the same area of my room to make sure they have the same amount of sunshine. I water one plant with 1 cup of water, one plant with 2 cups of water, one plant with 3 cups of water, and one plant with 4 cups of water. I also decide to set up a 5th plant with the same soil, plant, and sunlight but will not water it at all. What is the independent factor? What is the dependent factor? And what is the control setup?

SidE NOTE 2 Ways we can collect data are: Pictures Drawings Charts Diagrams Measuring Ways we organize/ analyze data are: Charts Drawings and pictures Graphs Diagrams

The end, OR IS IT???? This is the process that NEVER ends You may have a conclusion, but then you make new hypotheses, theories, and laws from that information You may decide to test a different factor to compare your results to something besides the control You may have discovered something completely new and have to retest to see if you get the same results

Oh and don’t forget…. You need to inform the public about your results You can do this through many methods: Newspapers Magazines Journals Lab reports Posters and PowerPoint videos