The Scientific Method

Why do we need a method?  Scientists need a reliable system for answering questions.  The method ensures that another scientist could repeat your experiment and get the same results.

1. Identify a Question  All science experiments start with a question.  Types of Questions:  Relationships: How does one thing affect another?  Example: How does the amount of sleep affect a student’s performance in class the next day?  Investigations: Exploring a topic  Example: Which common substances dissolve in water?

2. Collect Information  Scientists do research about their question.  They read about other experiments on the same topic.

3. Form a Hypothesis  Research allows a scientist to make an educated guess to answer their question  This educated guess is called a hypothesis.

4. Design and Carry Out an Experiment  Scientists must then design and carry out an experiment that will test their hypothesis.  They must be careful to consider all variables that affect their results.  A variable is something that can be changed in an experiment (ex: temperature)

5. Do Observations  Scientists need to observe the results of their experiment.  These can be measurements, or experiences.  Examples:  The magnesium bubbled and dissolved in the acid  There were 25.2 mL of gas produced in the reaction.

6. Make Conclusions  Scientists lastly must make conclusions about their experiment.  Their conclusions do 3 things:  Look back at the hypothesis. Was it correct?  Summarize all of your findings. What did you discover?  Report your findings so that other scientists can follow your work.