Scientific Method Introduction Biology class SC.BIO.10.03 SC.BIO 10.04 SC.BIO.20

What is a scientific method? Scientific method – is a process for scientists to find the answer to questions. It includes several steps.

Scientific method has 5 steps: Problem Hypothesis Experiment Data Conclusion

1. Problem Problem- is a question(?) about something. The question can be about anything. Question: What will happen if I stop watering plants? What will happen if I use sweet water to water plants?

2. Hypothesis Hypothesis - is an answer to the question (the problem). It’s a guess or prediction. You can make a better hypothesis by reading a book, scientific article, online. It becomes an educated guess or educated prediction.

3. Experiment Experiment- is a lab. A scientists must design a lab and do it. Variable- anything that is involved with the experiment and influences the result. It can be: how much salt, how much sun, what kind of plant, how long in the refrigerator etc.

3. Experiment (continue) Experiments needs to be controlled. Scientists need to keep all the variables constant. Constant – no change; is always stable.

Experiment Control group Experimental group Dependent variable Independent variable

3. Experiment (continue) Experimental group: 2 variables: Independent variable (manipulated variable)- is a change in the experiment Dependent variable (responding variable)- is the response to the change in the experiment

4. Data Data- is recording. It can be numbers, sentences, models, or anything. It’s important to see a pattern in the data. To see a pattern, you need to transfer the data to graphs, charts, or tables. It helps us with better predictions.

5. Conclusion Conclusion - is a summary of the data. It includes 2 parts: What the hypothesis supported or refuted by the data? What is the reasoning behind the experiment?

Theory When a hypothesis was tested many times with the same result, over time, it will become a theory.

Matching _____ Problem a. is a scientific hypothesis that survives experimental testing (many times) and becomes a theory _____ Hypothesis b. a variable that responded to a change in the experiment _____ Tests/Experiments c. it is a question about something _____ Data/Results d. the hypothesis was either supported or refuted by the tests/experiments; an explanation of what a scientist learned _____ Conclusion e. a variable changed by a scientist on purpose _____ Theory f. the scientist performs the test/experiment to test his/her hypothesis _____ Independent Variable g. the outcome (result) of the test/experiment _____ Dependent Variable h. it is an educated guess made by a scientist; it is an answer to the question

Fill in blanks. _________________ is an answer to a question. When a hypothesis is based on reading scientific journal, books, or internet, it becomes _____________________________. Recording or writing observations is a part of ___________. In a conclusion, you must write if a hypothesis was _______________ or ___________________ and ______. A problem in the scientific method is _____________ about something. A tested hypothesis many times becomes _______________. ________________ is anything that affects the outcome of an experiment. To see a pattern in the data, it’s better to transfer the data to ___________, _______________ or ________.