EQ: What is the scientific method?

The Scientific Method Steps O = Observation P = Problem Q = Question (Form a Hypothesis) R = Research (gather background information) S = Set up controlled experiment T = Test and analyze data U = Understand (form a conclusion) V = Verify (repeat if necessary)

Observation Vs. Inference Observation- using your senses (seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, smelling) to gather information; no interpretation Inference- logical interpretation based on prior knowledge or experience; subject to interpretation

What happens next? Identify the problem Form a Question/Hypothesis (Proposed scientific explanation for your observations that can be tested) Hypothesis should be in this form: If (what you think is true), then (what will result) Research- gather information about the topic of study

Don’t have to write this down Question The statement of the problem in the form of a question. Example: Every year you plant a pumpkin garden in August. This particular year, you notice that your pumpkin plants are growing much slower than normal. You ask: What is causing the pumpkin plants to grow slow? ? ? ? ? ? ?

Don’t have to write this down Hypothesis Prediction or possible answer to the question that can be solved through experimentation. Written in “If…, then…” format. If (what you think is true), then (what will result). Example: You predict that watering your plants more each day will cause them to grow faster. “If I water the plants twice a day, then the plants will grow faster.”

Research Don’t have to write this down Example: You learn that water, sunlight, fertilizer, nutrients, and wildlife are all things that could affect the growth of pumpkin plants. Gather information about the topic of study

Controlled experiments Set up a controlled experiment to test your hypothesis Variable is something that you can change Only 1 variable can be changed at a time during a controlled experiment; all other variables are unchanged (controlled/constant) 2 types of variables Independent variable- variable being changed in the experiment Dependent variable- variable that is being observed; may change because of the independent variable Must develop and follow a detailed procedure and be able to measure your data

After your experiment….. Test and analyze data- Organize information into tables, graphs, and photographs 2 types of data/measurements Qualitative- descriptions Ex: the tree is tall Quantitative- numbers Ex: the tree is 20 feet tall Understand your data and form a conclusion- answer the question using evidence from the experiment- state whether hypothesis was true or false using data

If needed…. Verify (replicate work)- sometimes experiments need to be done more than once in order to gather sufficient data to support or refute the hypothesis Other scientists also like to repeat experiments to see if they get the same results When a hypothesis has been tested many times and has a lot of evidence to support it, that hypothesis can become a Theory- a well tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations Theories have a lot of evidence to support them but CAN be proven false