2. The Scientific Method
What is it?
Who uses it?
Why should I care?

3. Everyone uses it everyday!
Yes! Even you!

4. It is a way to solve problems!
BIG or
small

5. Any of these sound familiar?
Where are my shoes?
What class do I have next?
How do I solve that math problem?
Which deodorant works the best?
Which pain reliever works the best?
What is the cure for cancer?

6. There are SIX steps to the Scientific Method:
Problem/Question
Information/Research
Hypothesis
Experiment
Observations/Analysis
Conclusion

7. By following these steps in order, you will learn about your problem.
Notice the IN ORDER part. It is very important!

8. 1. Problem/Question
This is the problem you are trying to solve or the question you are trying to answer.
Try to narrow it down and be specific.

9. 2. Information/Research
Has someone tackled this problem before?
If not, gather information about your question/problem:
books
magazines
experts
past experiences

10. 2. Information/Research
Valid Internet sites
Check date when site was last updated
Who put the page together?
Who is responsible for the information?

11. 3. Hypothesis
The hypothesis is an educated guess about the relationship between the independent and dependent variables.
This is what you think the answer is based upon the information you gathered
It should be in form “If (independent), then (dependent).

12. 3. Hypothesis Independent Variable
The independent, or manipulated, variable is a factor that is intentionally varied by the experimenter.
Dependent Variable
The dependent, or responding, variable is the factor that may change as a result of the changes made to the independent variable.
This is the expected outcome!

13. 4. Experiment The actual experiment is broken into two parts:
Materials
A list of equipment that you will need for the experiment.
Procedure
A list of instructions that you need to follow for the experiment. (Should be detailed!)

14. 4. Experiment Control Group
In a scientific experiment, the control is the group that serves as the standard of comparison.
The control group may be a “no treatment” or an “experimenter selected” group.
The control group is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental group except for the variable being tested.

15. 4. Experiment
Constants
The constants in an experiment are all of the factors that the experimenter attempts to keep the same.
Trials
Trials refer to the replicate groups that are exposed to the same conditions in an experiment.
You should do a minimum of 3 trials.

16. 5. Observations/Analysis
Collection of information and data from the experiment.
It may be in the form of charts, graphs, or written work.
This is WHAT HAPPENED!

17. 5. Observations/Analysis
This is an explanation of your observations.
It may involve analyzing your graphs or charts in order to look for patterns to help you answer your question.
It can even mean putting your measurements into a mathematical equation to get an answer.

18. 6. Conclusion What did you find the answer to your was?
It should state whether you accept or reject your hypothesis.
This does not necessarily mean you “proved” something--just that your analysis supports your hypothesis.
It is OK if it turns out your hypothesis is not correct. You learned!!!!!!
It may lead to another experiment.

19. Report Your Findings!
Something that is very important but not officially part of the scientific method is to report to others your findings.
You will help others learn!

20. Common Mistakes
Do not change your hypothesis throughout the experiment.
Do not rule out and ignore observations and data that do not support your hypothesis.

22. Let’s put our knowledge of the Scientific Method to a realistic example that includes some of the terms you’ll be needing to used and understand.

23. Problem/Question
John watches his grandmother bake bread. He asks her what makes the bread rise.
She explains that yeast releases a gas as it feeds on sugar.

24. Problem/Question
John wonders if the amount of sugar used in the recipe will affect the size of the bread loaf.

25. Information/Research
John researches the areas of baking and fermentation and tries to come up with a way to test his question.

26. Hypothesis
After talking with his teacher and conducting further research, John comes up with a hypothesis:
If more sure is added, then the bread will rise higher.

27. Variables Dependent Variable Independent Variable
The size of the bread loaf.
Independent Variable
John is going to use 25 g, 50 g, 100 g, 250 g, and 500 g of sugar in his experiment.

28. Control Group
Because his grandmother always uses 50 g of sugar, John is going to use that amount in his control group.

29. Constants other ingredients to the bread recipe brand of ingredients
rise time
air temperature and humidity where the bread is rising
type of pan used
oven used
cooking time

30. Experiment
John writes out his materials and procedure for his experiment in his journal.
Trials
John is going to test each sugar variable 3 times.

31. Observations/Analysis
John comes up with a table so that he can record his data.
John gets all of his materials together and carries out his experiment.

32. Observations/Analysis
Size of Bread Loaf (cm3)
Trials
Amount of Sugar (g) 1 2 3
Average Size (cm3) 25
768
744
761
756 50
Control Group
1,296
1,188
1,260
100
1,080
1,116
250
672
576
588
612
500
432
504
360

33. Observations/Analysis
John examines his data and notices that his control group worked the best in his experiment, but not significantly better than 100 g of sugar.

34. Conclusion
John rejects his hypothesis, but decides to re-test using sugar amounts between 50 g and 100 g.

35. Observations/Analysis
Size of Bread Loaf (cm3)
Trials
Amount of Sugar (g) 1 2 3
Average Size (cm3) 50
Control Group
1,296
1,440
1,344 60
1,404
1,380 70
1,638
1,560
1,612 80
1,332 90
1,080
1,200
972
1,084

36. Conclusion John finds that 70 g of sugar produces the largest loaf.
He accepts his new hypothesis.