Steps of the Scientific Method

The Scientific Method involves basic steps that scientists follow in uncovering facts and solving scientific problems

Formulate a Hypothesis Design an Experiment Record and Analyze Data Scientific Method Ask a Question Formulate a Hypothesis Design an Experiment Record and Analyze Data Draw Conclusion Communicate Findings Further Inquiry

Steps of the Scientific Method Ask a Question: Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation and is measureable. Ex. Does the temperature of soil affect a plant’s growth?

Steps of the Scientific Method 2. Formulate a Hypothesis: Predict a possible answer to the problem or question. Example: If soil temperatures rise, then plant growth will increase because heat gives the plant more energy to grow.

Variables To write a proper hypothesis, we must first identify the variables in our experiment Variables are any part of the experiment that can be changed, controlled, or manipulated. The three different variables are Independent Dependent Control/constant

Independent Variable Changed by you or the scientist This is the CAUSE in a cause/effect relationship Can only have 1 per experiment It ensures for a fair test It is graphed on the x-axis

Dependent Variable Part of the experiment that you or the scientist measures or observes It is the EFFECT in a cause/effect relationship Changes due to the independent variable Graphed on the y-axis

Control Variable Remains constant to make it a fair test

Do you remember the next step?

Steps of the Scientific Method Experiment: Develop a detailed, numbered procedure that is easy to follow No long sentences. Include a materials list.

Steps of the Scientific Method 4. Record and Analyze Data: Record what happened or changed during the experiment. Include tables, sketches, and photographs.

Steps of the Scientific Method 5. Draw Conclusion Summarize the experiment Restate the hypothesis and tell if it was supported or rejected Give evidence/data and account for experimental error Answer the testable question

Steps of the Scientific Method 6. Communicate the Results: Be prepared to share the experiment in some way. Graph, chart, powerpoint, posterboard

Steps of the Scientific Method 7. Further Inquiry: Come up with a new testable question to perform more experiments of a similar nature

Think you can name all seven steps? Formulate a Hypothesis Experiment Further Inquiry Collect and Analyze Data Communicate the Results Ask a Question Conclusion

Let’s put our knowledge of the Scientific Method to a realistic example that includes some of the terms you’ll be needing to use and understand.

She explains that yeast releases a gas as it feeds on sugar. Problem/Question John watches his grandmother bake bread. He asks his grandmother what makes the bread rise. She explains that yeast releases a gas as it feeds on sugar.

Ask a Question John wonders, “Will the amount of sugar used in the recipe affect the size of the bread loaf?”

Formulate a Hypothesis If more sugar is added, then the bread will rise higher.

Experiment His teacher helps him come up with a procedure and list of needed materials.

Experiment John writes out his procedure for his experiment along with a materials list in his journal. He has both of these checked by his teacher where she checks for any safety concerns.

Collect and Analyze Results John comes up with a table he can use to record his data. John gets all his materials together and carries out his experiment.

Size of Baked Bread (LxWxH) cm3 Size of Bread Loaf (cm3) Trials Amt. of Sugar (g.) 1 2 3 Average Size (cm3) 25 768 744 761 758 50 1296 1188 1260 100 1080 1116 250 672 576 588 612 500 432 504 360 Control group

Collect and Analyze Results John examines his data and notices that his control worked the best in this experiment, but not significantly better than 100g. of sugar.

Conclusion John concludes his data does not support his hypothesis, but decides to re-test using sugar amounts between 50g. and 100g.

Communicate the Results John tells his grandmother about his findings and prepares to present his project in Science class.

Further Inquiry John decides to test this same hypothesis in regards to the amount of sugar on the size of brownies.