Scientific Methods

DEFINITION

A series of organized steps that scientists use as a guide for answering a question or solving a problem Provides a strategy or guide for seeking answers and solving problems

Not confined to the lab Done in everyday life

SINCE there is no single way to approach and answer every question, there is no single scientific method

General Format

What’s the Correct Order? Form Hypothesis Analyze Data Make Observation Draw Conclusion Conduct Experiment Ask Question

* Ask Question * Form Hypothesis * Conduct Experiment * Analyze Data * Make Observation * Ask Question * Form Hypothesis * Conduct Experiment * Analyze Data * Draw Conclusion

Make An Observation

A scientist notices something in their natural world Gathered through their senses:

Example While sitting by a pond, you NOTICE that the salamanders have curved, not straight, tails.

Ask A Question

Triggered by an observation One that is precise and can be answered through observation, measurement, testing, or analysis or information and research AKA scientific or testable questions

Example Does a salamander’s environment cause its tail to curve?

Form A Hypothesis

Possible answer or tentative solution for a question Predicted answer AND explanation More than an educated guess

Example Salamanders have curved tails due to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live.

Conduct An Experiment

Procedure designed to test the validity of a hypothesis AKA scientific investigation

Analyze the Data

Examine the observations made & information collected during the experiment

Data can be quantitative (numerical) or qualitative (non-numerical & descriptive) Found on tables, charts, & graphs

Draw A Conclusion

Form an answer to the hypothesis based on the data obtained & analyzed from the experiment

Make Observation Ask Question Form Hypothesis Conduct Experiment Analyze Data Draw Conclusion

Let’s Review

1. Which is an example of a good scientific question? A. Is green a nicer color than yellow? B. Do beagles make better pets than poodles? C. What is the average height of a beagle? D. How big is a dog?

Which is an example of a good scientific question? A. Is green a nicer color than yellow? B. Do beagles make better pets than poodles? C. What is the average height of a beagle? D. How big is a dog?

2. Which statement represents the correct sequence a scientist may follow as part of a scientific inquiry? A. form a hypothesis, make an observation, ask a question B. make an observation, ask a question, form a hypothesis C. ask a question, form a hypothesis, make an observation D. make an observation, form a hypothesis, ask

Which statement represents the correct sequence a scientist may follow as part of a scientific inquiry? A. form a hypothesis, make an observation, ask a question B. make an observation, ask a question, form a hypothesis C. ask a question, form a hypothesis, make an observation D. make an observation, form a hypothesis,

3. The purpose of conducting an experiment is to A. Answer a question B. Collect data C. To prove a hypothesis is correct D. To test a hypothesis

The purpose of conducting an experiment is to A. Answer a question B. Collect data C. To prove a hypothesis is correct D. To test a hypothesis

4. There is only one way to do a scientific method. False True

False since there is no single way to approach and answer every question, there is no single scientific method

5. Data collected during an experiment can be qualitative & quantitative qualitative only quantitative only None of the above

Data collected during an experiment can be qualitative & quantitative qualitative only quantitative only None of the above