The Scientific Method Ms MacCormack Fall 2017

What is the Scientific Method? It is a systematic method used to solve a problem.

Steps of the Scientific Method 1. State the Problem 2. Conduct Research 3. State a Hypothesis 4. Design and conduct an Experiment 5. Collect and Analyze Data 6. Draw Conclusion 7. Share and Compare

Problem A question you may have that can be answered by doing an experiment Needs to be objective  Not your personal opinion

Research Gather information about the problem to find out what is already known.

Hypothesis Possible solution to the problem Stated as an “If, then” statement

Experiment Done to test the hypothesis Only tests one variable at a time A good experiment has two groups: Control Group Experimental Group

Collect and Analyze Data Recorded during an experiment in a data table Analyzed with a graph

Conclusion Does the data support or reject the hypothesis? We NEVER prove anything in science!!! We only have data/evidence to support.

Share and Compare Tell others Could be in the form of a lab report or it could be published in a scientific article.

Variables

Types of Variables There are two types of variables: Independent Variable Dependent Variable

The Independent Variable Things “I” change in an experiment Cause X-axis Left column of a data table If part of “If, then” statement

The Dependent Variable Outcome, measurement, observation Effect Y-axis Right column of a data table Then part of an “If, then” statement

Experimental Design

Control Group Group that is NOT tested Gets “normal” treatment Used as comparison/reference

Experimental Group Group that IS tested Only test ONE variable per group

Variables

Controlled Variables Things that are kept the same in all groups.

Independent Variable Things “I” change Cause

Dependent Variable Outcome What you are measuring Effect