SCIENTIFIC METHOD What is the Scientific Method? A logical method that is used to solve a problem This method is used by all scientists and can be divided into 6 steps: 1.) Define the Problem: Takes the form of a question For example: How does the amount of sunlight affect the height of the plants?

SCIENTIFIC METHOD 2.) Hypothesis: An educated guess based on the data and information that you have previously collected. A possible answer to the problem Written as an “If… then…” statement. Example: If plants receive more sunlight, then they will grow taller. (If independent variable, the dependent variable)

SCIENTIFIC METHOD 3.) Experiment (materials and procedure): The experiment will allow us to test our hypothesis An experiment is ALWAYS composed of 2 groups: Control group Used for comparison Experimental group Experimental factors – the variable The change in the experiment (you must have only one variable per experiment) Two kinds of variables: 1.) Independent It’s what is added or changed by the scientist, always in the experimental group. -- THE CAUSE 2.) Dependent It is what will be affected by the independent variable – THE EFFECT

SCIENTIFIC METHOD 4.) Gather Data and Observations (Results) Data and observations can be collected in the form of graphs, charts, written work, etc. Quantitative Data Using numbers (mass, volume, length, time) Qualitative Data Using words (color, smell, looks, feel)

SCIENTIFIC METHOD 5.) Analysis Why did you see the results you did? What are some mistakes you made? What would you change if you were to do it again? What’s the science behind your results?

SCIENTIFIC METHOD 6.) Conclusion This is where you tell us if the results you saw were able to support your hypothesis or not. 1.) If the answer is yes….. You have solved your problem. Say something like: Originally, I believed more sunlight increased the height of plants. My experiment proved plants that received 2 hours of sunlight each day grew taller than those with only 1 hour of sunlight per day. (USE YOUR DATA TO SUPPORT)

SCIENTIFIC METHOD 2.) If the answer is no…… That’s o.k. You should have analyzed where you think things went wrong and how you would change the experiment if you were to do it again. Say something like: Originally I believed more sunlight increased the height of plants. After experimenting, I see plants that received 2 hours of sunlight each day were shorter than those with 1 hour of sunlight per day (USE YOUR DATA TO SUPPORT)

SCIENTIFIC METHOD Why do we use Graphing? We use graphs to show what the results of our experiments look like. 3 Types of Graphs we are concerned about…. 1.) Line Graph Used to show data that changes for one item X-axis (independent variable) The variable that does not depend on anything else. (we control this) Ex: (time) The time continues no matter what the temperature does. Y-axis (dependent variable) The data on axis depends on the data on the x-axis. Ex: changes in temperature in water over a flame

SCIENTIFIC METHOD 2.) Bar Graph This is used when we want to compare data for several different items or events Ex: compare what students have pets

SCIENTIFIC METHOD 3.) Pie Graphs (Charts) Used when we want to look at part of something that makes up a whole. Usually round and contains percentages