7 Steps for Sound Science Scientific Method

›The SCIENTIFIC METHOD is a series of processes for investigating the world and acquiring new knowledge with measurable evidence. ›There are many steps to the scientific method, and the process is never completed. ›In science, we can only verify questions that can be measured. –There are some questions that cannot be answered with science. ›“Which brand of candy is the best?” ›“If the Civil War was fought again, and the South had velociraptors, who would win?” ›“How did the universe begin?” What is the “scientific method?”

1.Question 2.Research 3.Hypothesis 4.Design an Experiment 5.Collect Data 6.Data Analysis 7.Conclusion 8.Repeat Steps of the Scientific Method

›The first step to solving a problem is having one. We must first ask a QUESTION that needs an answer. ›Questions can come from many places –Need (“How can I cure this disease?”) –Curiosity (“Why is the sky blue?”) –Research (“How can I improve this design/previous experiment?”) –…Just to name a few ›Sets the goal of the experiment – to answer the question. Question

›RESEARCH involves finding out about information or previous experiments related to the question. It may also include making observations. ›An OBSERVATION is a statement about something that can be sensed by touch, sight, smell, hearing, or taste. ›Observations come in two varieties: quantitative and qualitative –QUALITATIVE observations describe the “quality” of something. ›The tree is green. The dog barked. The coins were shiny. –QUANTITATIVE observations describe the “quantity” of something. ›There are three cats. My friend has two sandwiches. The lobster is seven feet long. Research

›An INFERENCE is a logical step based on observation. ›An observation about these feet is that they have light and dark spots. ›An inference about these feet is that the owner was probably wearing sandals in the sun, based on the pattern we see.

›In each of the following images, make qualitative and quantitative observations about the scenery or situation.

Inferences ›An INFERENCE is a conclusion drawn, based on logic. It is supported by observations. For example, in the picture below, you may INFER that the dog belongs to the woman. You observe that the dog is on a leash.

›Revisit the previous images and make inferences about what you see.

›A HYPOTHESIS is an educated prediction about what will happen, based on research. ›Use an “If…then….” statement to state your hypothesis. –“If…” I perform this experiment,… –“Then…” I expect this result. Hypothesis

›You want to find out if caffeine affects the boys in your class the same as the girls in your class. You find 10 boys and 10 girls to willingly participate in your experiment. You give each of them a can of energy drink and ask them to record how they feel throughout the day. At the end of the day, you’ll collect their responses and analyze your data. Generate a Hypothesis!

›In design, you plan to test your hypothesis using an experiment. Your hypothesis is the basis for this. ›Experiments must be testable – you must be able to get measurable data from them. ›Examples: –To determine exactly how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop, you will count the licks to reach the chocolate center of 10 suckers. –By measuring the time it takes for 5 different substances to melt ice, you can determine which one makes the quickest sidewalk salt for your house. Design an Experiment

›The procedure will allow you and others to perform your experiment. The clearer your directions are, the closer others will be able to follow your steps. ›Directions need to be as explicit as possible! –Something as simple as making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich or cooking an egg are VERY difficult without precise directions. Experiment - Procedure

›Test the hypothesis by running your experiment, collecting data as you go. ›Which word is the easiest to guess? Play 20 QUESTIONS with your partner to see how quickly you can guess your word! –Ask only yes or no questions to your partner to try and find the identity of your mystery word. –Count the number of guesses it takes to get your word. Collect Data

›During DATA ANALYSIS, we examine the data from our experiment. We compare values, make calculations, and determine results. ›Which word was the easiest to guess? –Average the numbers for the same words. –Rank the words in order of greatest to least guesses. Data Analysis

›In the CONCLUSION, we summarize the experiment and finally state our results. ›Either we have supported our hypothesis with our evidence, or our evidence disproves our prediction. ›Either way, we have learned valuable information about our question! ›Which word was the easiest to guess? Which was the hardest? Conclusion

›Based on our conclusion, we revise our question. ›Our new question leads us to more research. ›New research leads us to a new hypothesis. ›A new hypothesis means another opportunity for EXPERIMENTS! ›…And the process continues, even today. Repeat