Scientific Method DR. HERC

Scientific Method Be able to utilize the scientific method of solving problems and explain each step used in solving the problem, issue or situation presented.

D Define the problem (Pose a question). Curiosity leads to thinking about questions.

R. Research Observational research leading to inferences ( your interpretation) Might use any of the five senses or all of them; sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste. Gather as much information as possible.

H Hypothesis An educated guess (using the information gathered) to the answer of the problem, issue or situation. Must be testable by observation or experimentation.

E Experiment Examine all the factors that can change during an experiment. Independent Variables: these are variables that can be manipulated or change during the experiment by the scientist or one doing the experiment. Dependent Variable: responding variables, those variables that are expected to change as a response to the independent variable. Control: that factor of an experiment which will not change and all other variables are compared to.

R Results Collecting data. These are facts, figures and other evidence that you learn during experimentation. Inference the information gathered. This is your logical interpretation of the facts. Qualitative: quality of information such as color, odor, and sound. Quantitative: quantity or measured information such as size, temperature and volume.

C Conclusion Final statement summarizing what was learned from an experiment. Always ask yourself: Did you fulfill the purpose of the experiment or solve the problem.

Scientific Method Review What is the scientific method?