THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD The scientific method is used to understand the world around us.

Start with an Observation THE PROCESS OF OBTAINING INFORMATION BY USING THE SENSES: TASTE..TOUCH..SMELL..SIGHT..HEARING

STEP 1. IDENTIFYING THE PROBLEM A problem is a situation in which an immediate solution is not known. Identify the problem by asking a question Problems are stated as questions. What do you want to know? Can a ceiling fan chop your head off? Do you get wetter walking or running in the rain? Could an exploding truck tire take off a motorist's head?

STEP 2. Research the Problem Gather background information about your question. Determine if the answer to your question already exists, if not…..

STEP 3. FORM A HYPOTHESIS AN IDEA OR EXPLANATION THAT IS BASED ON OBSERVATION AND CAN BE TESTED. This is an educated guess; a possible answer. It states what you think the answer to the question is. Most hypotheses are based on known facts.

Write as an “If …. then…” statement. whatitslikeontheinside.com/uploaded_images/Hy...

STEP 4. DESIGN AND PERFORM AN EXPERIMENT A way to test the hypothesis. materials & quantities detailed procedures. safety concerns

CONTROLLED AND CONTROLS A controlled experiment is one in which only one variable (independent) is changed. During an experiment, a control group is used as a comparison to the experimental group in order to support or reject the hypothesis.

VARIABLES A variable is any factor of an experiment – any part that changes or could be changed in the experiment. Independent variable (Manipulated) is the one part of the experiment that is purposefully changed. Dependent variable (Responding) is the part(s) of the experiment(s) that change because of the manipulated variable. It is what you are measuring.

CONSTANTS A constant is any part of the experiment that stays the same Trials: The number of times a procedure is repeated for each experiment.

STEP 5. COLLECT AND ANALYZE DATA Use tables/graphs to represent data. Quantitative data – data based on measurements; numerical data. Qualitative data – observations based on one of the five senses controls.engin.umich.edu

Graphs: LINE, BAR, PIE Line graphs are usually used to show how something changes over time. (increasing, decreasing, constant, fluctuating) Bar graphs show a relationship between two things (example: species and running speed). Pie graphs are used to show how something relates to a whole.

GRAPHING Rules * ALL GRAPHS MUST HAVE A TITLE - the title tells the reader what the graph represents (what it is about). * LINE AND BAR GRAPHS HAVE AN X – AXIS (HORIZONTAL) AND A Y-AXIS (VERTICAL). - each axis must be labeled with what it represents. - the x-axis represents the independent variable - the y-axis represents the dependent variable * GRAPHS MAY ALSO NEED A KEY - keys are used when different colors or lines are used on the graph. The key tells you what the different lines or colors represent.

STEP 6. STATE CONCLUSIONS State the final results by answering the original question. Then state whether you accept or reject your hypothesis.

STEP 7. REPEAT THE EXPERIMENT Do – over You must be able to get the same results for an experiment to be valid.

STEP 8. PUBLISH RESULTS

HYPOTHESIS – Example:_________________ * a statement based only on observation, and that can be tested with an experiment THEORY –Example:_________________ * an idea based on many observations and experimental evidence; years of data * can also be applied to unrelated facts and new situations * flexible enough to be modified if new data/evidence is introduced LAW – Example:_________________ * stands up to the test of time * experimentally confirmed, over and over again * has uniformity and is universal