The Scientific Method

Steps of the Scientific Method State the Problem Form a Hypothesis Set Up a Controlled Experiment Record and Analyze Results Draw a Conclusion

State the Problem Clearly state your problem to avoid confusion later

2. Form a Hypothesis Hypothesis - an educated guess as to what the outcome might be Must be TESTABLE Must be based on what you know or observations

3. Set Up a Controlled Experiment Must have two groups to test the hypothesis: The experimental group - the group that you change something You may have several groups in this group The control group - the group that you do not change anything; provides a method of comparison

3. Set Up a Controlled Experiment In the experimental group, you can only change one variable! Everything else must stay the same between the two groups. Variable – something that changes Independent Variable – the variable that the experimenter changes (plot on the x-axis) Dependent Variable – results from a change in the independent variable (plot on the y-axis)

4. Record and Analyze Results Includes charts, tables, and graphs Must determine if the data is significantly different

5. Draw a Conclusion Two Conclusions Only: The data supports my hypothesis that….. The data does not support my hypothesis that…….. Do not infer anything that your data does not provide information about.

Example Problem: "Which one of these two paper towels will absorb more water?"

Example Hypothesis: Brand A paper towel will be able to absorb more water. Based on the two observations that Brand A paper towel is both larger and thicker than Brand B paper towel.

Example For our problem, we need to create a test that will determine whether or not Brand A paper towel will absorb more water than Brand B paper towel. Our experiment consisted of: measuring water folding a paper towel dipping it into water noting how much water it had absorbed then repeating the process with the other brand of paper towel.

Example Conclusion: We were correct! Brand A paper towel absorbed more water than Brand B paper towel.