Scientific Method

The Scientific Method is a method of problem solving involving observation to test a hypothesis.

Step 1 Purpose/Question Your first step is to determine a problem or question so that you know what you want to test.

Research After deciding on your question, you should complete some research to discover what background information is needed to perform the experiment.

Step 2 Hypothesis Based on your research make an educated guess that answers your question.

Step 3 Procedure/Experiment Make a list of directions for testing your idea or hypothesis through a controlled investigation. These should be detailed so that another person can follow your directions and perform the same experiment.

Control You will need a control which is a standard against which other conditions can be compared in an experiment.

Variable You will also need a variable which is the factor being tested.

Step 4 Materials Make a list of all materials used to conduct your experiment.

Observation While completing your experiment you will record findings.

Step 5 Results/Data As you perform your experiment, collect data. Using this data make a judgment or opinion inferred from relevant facts; a final summary.

Step 6 Conclusion After completing your experiment you will make a judgment or opinion inferred from relevant facts. Write this as a final summary.

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Question 1 - Use your flashcards to answer these questions. Find these words: Conclusion Hypothesis Purpose/Question Results/Data Procedure/Experiment Order them in the correct sequence.

Question 2 - Use your flashcards to answer these questions. During which stage of the scientific process are all experimental observations gathered?

Question 3 - Use your flashcards to answer these questions. During which stage of the scientific method does a scientist make a prediction for the outcome of his/her experiment?

Question 4 - Use your flashcards to answer these questions. During which stage of the scientific process does a scientist formally report the information they have gained from their experiment?

Question 5 - Use your flashcards to answer these questions. Which part of an experiment is kept in normal circumstances, so that the scientist has something to compare to their test subjects?

Question 6 - Use your flashcards to answer these questions. An educated guess that has not been proven, but is based on knowledge is called what?

Question 7 If you were experimenting to determine if acid rain affects the growth of pepper plants, what would you need as a variable?

Question 8 If you were experimenting to determine if acid rain affects the growth of strawberry plants, what would you need as a control?

Question 9 Which of the following is a testable hypothesis? 1. Spaghetti is delicious. 2. Vacationing in the mountains is better than vacationing at the beach. 3. Plants need sunlight to be healthy. 4. School is terrific.

Question 10 Which of the following is not a testable science question? 1. What is the best place to plant rosebushes? 2. How much light does a cactus need to bloom? 3. How hard is the shell of a dinosaur egg? 4. Does leg length correlate with the distance a frog can jump?

Question 11 Which event occurs first in the scientific method? 1. Form a hypothesis. 2. Make an observation. 3. Write a conclusion 4. Prove your experiment.

Question 12 How many independent variables can you have during an experiment?