The Scientific Method The Steps to Solving the Mysteries of the World

What is the Scientific Method? The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate a natural occurrence Scientific Method: basic steps that scientists follow in uncovering facts and solving scientific problems

Basic Steps to Scientific Method 1.Ask Question 2.Complete Background Research 3.Formulate a Hypothesis 4.Test with an Experiment & Collect Data 5.Analyze Results & Draw Conclusions 6.Report Results The scientific method is a series of steps. However new information or thinking might cause a scientist to back up and repeat steps at any point during the process. This is called an iterative process.

1. Ask Question What problem are we attempting to solve? Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation

2. Complete Background Research Collect knowledge needed to know about the subject of experiment It will be used to form a hypothesis

3. Formulate a Hypothesis Hypothesis = an educated prediction to the answer of the problem Based on research and prior knowledge Not a W.A.G. (Wild A#$ Guess)

Format of Hypothesis Two Accepted Formats: “I think…because…” Or “If…then…because…” Note – Both formats include the all important “because statement” used to justify your prediction.

4. Design and Complete an Experiment Experiment = a situation specially set up to observe how something happens or to test a hypothesis Includes variables – a quantity that is measured or changed in an experiment

Independent vs. Dependent Variables In an experiment, the independent variable is the variable that is varied or manipulated by the researcher, and the dependent variable is the response that is measured. An independent variable is the presumed cause, whereas the dependent variable is the presumed effect.

Collect Data Observations and information collected while doing an experiment Used to formulate a conclusion

5. Analysis Data & Draw Conclusion Organize the data collected in the experiment and perform calculations. Construct charts, graphs, averages, percentages, etc. Devise an answer to your question.

6. Report Results A summary of results, the answer to your question What were the possible sources of error? Did your answer match hypothesis? Why or why not?