Unit One Section Two: Scientific Method 1.State The Problem: The investigator is identifying a problem and making observations as to the cause of the problem. Example: My geranium plants do not grow as well as the geranium plants at the nursery. Nursery Plant My Plant

2.Make a Hypothesis: It is a possible answer to a scientific question or problem. *It must be testable. *It usually starts with the words: I Predict Or I think Example: I predict that if plants get Miracle Gro plant food then they will grow better.

3.Design an Experiment A carefully created situation that will test a hypothesis. It will need to have: a. experimental groups b. independent (manipulated) variable c. dependent (responding) variable d. control group e. control all the other variables

a.Experimental Groups The members of the experiment that will be receiving some sort of special testable treatment during the experiment. Example: Set up an experimental group of plants. This group will receive the same Miracle Gro fertilizer that the nursery uses. They will each get 5ml weekly.

b. Independent (manipulated) Variable It is the one thing that is purposely changed by the investigator. Example: In the plant experiment the Miracle Gro plant food is the independent variable.In my experiment it is the one thing that I am choosing to test.

c.Dependent (responding) Variable The one thing that you are going to measure or count in an experiment. Example: I will measure my plants every week to see how well they are growing. I will make centimeter measurements and keep a record of my results.

d. Control Group It refers to the members of the experiment that will not be receiving any sort of special treatment during the experiment. Example: Set up a control group of plants. This group will not receive the Miracle Gro fertilizer that the nursery uses. They will be treated the way I normally treated my plants with just plain water.

e. Control All Other Variables All the things in the experiment that need to be kept the same for all the members of the experiment. It is the only way to know if the results that you get are due to the independent variable in the experiment. Example: 1.Type of plants 2.Type of soil 3.Amount of sunlight 4.Containers 5.Amount of water

4. Make Observations The experimenter uses their senses to gather information during the experiment. The information gathered then needs to be organized. a. Data: Any measurements that are made during the experiment. b. Data Table: A table that organizes the measurements (data) Independent VariableDependent Variable

c. Graphs Create pictures of the data collected. They can show trends, patterns or relationships that may exist within the data. Title: The effect of independent variable on dependent variable Independent variable Dependent variable

5. Conclusion It states whether or not the data supports the hypothesis. Example: All the plants that received the Miracle Gro showed an improvement in their growth. After a two month period they grew approximately 2cm more than the group that did not get the Miracle Gro. My results support my hypothesis.