Scientific Method

What is the Scientific Method? It’s a way to solve a problem with an organized set of investigation procedures. The Scientific Method (Lyrical Life Science) audio clip

What are the Steps of the Scientific Method?

Step #1 Identify and State the problem Usually in the form of a question

Step #2 Gather Information Research to find facts Facts – something already known or observable or true

Step #3 Form a Hypothesis Suggested solution to a problem An unproven theory An educated guess A testable prediction

Step #4 Perform an Experiment Use variables and controls

Step #5 Make Observations and Record Data Data – facts collected during an experiment 2 Types of Data: Qualitative Data Quantitative Data

2 Types of Data: Qualitative Data - uses numbers Quantitative Data – uses words

Step #6 Organize and Analyze Data Tables Graphs (bar, pie, line) Charts Diagrams

Step #7 Make Conclusions Summary that explains the data Does data support the hypothesis? Answers the question.

What's next? Scientist share their results with others by publishing their results. Scientist can make mistakes or errors and need to redo their experiments.

Re-test and try again if necessary There is not a set sequence. I will not ask you to remember the order since you can begin at almost any step. However, you do need to know the steps involved.

Law vs. Theory Law – Statement that seems to be true all the time (until we identify a situation where it can no longer be true). Often is described using equations in physical science. Theory – a set of ideas, concepts, principles or methods used to explain a wide set of observed facts “science is built up with facts, as a house is with stones. But a collection of facts is no more a science than a heap of stones is a house” - Jules Henri Poincare’ (1905)

What's in an GOOD experiment? Control group – the standard of comparison Constant (s) – a factor(s) that do not change when other variables change Variables – factors being tested

Two Types of Variables: Independent Variable – Cause Experimenter controls/manipulates this What you are testing Dependent Variable – Effect – (what is affected by the independent variable?) Measurable – (Ask yourself - what are you observing or measuring?) Countable