1. The Scientific Method

2. Step 1
Describe the problem or ask a question
In this step, you (the researcher) must decide what it is that you want to study.
Your question is usually a result of something you have observed that you want to know more about

3. Step 2 Develop or state the hypothesis
 A specific statement of prediction. * Should be written in an
“If..., then…” statement
Ex: If teenagers get more sleep, then their grades will improve
A hypothesis should not be a random wild guess to your problem.

4. Step 3 Dependent Variable: Design the experiment Independent Variable:
This is what you are testing or changing
Ex: adding fertilizer to plants
Sometimes an IV can have degrees
Ex: 3 different brands of fertilizer
Dependent Variable:
This is what you are measuring (Don’t know results!)
Ex: height of plants

5. Step 3 Design the experiment (CONT.)
Constants- Variables that are NOT the independent or dependent variable
You have to keep these variables constant and never changing in an experiment
Why? What can a constant do to an experiment if not controlled?
Sometimes you will see these called Control Variables

6. Step 3 Design the experiment (CONT.)
Your experiment should contain TWO groups:
Experimental Group or groups – The group that contains the Independent Variable
Ex: plants the get fertilizer
Control Group – is identical to the experimental group in every way, except for the independent variable.
Ex: plants without fertilizer

7. Step 4
Conduct the experiment and collect data
Carry out your experiment, collect data (in a table), then create a graph
(Remember the Dependent variable is the Data that you collect)

8. Step 5 Draw conclusions from your data
This is when you say whether or not your hypothesis was supported or not supported
You can explain what may have gone wrong or why you think your experiment did not turn out the way you expected
You can talk about repeating the experiment and what you may do differently next time

9. Now it’s your turn!
Fill in the graphic organizer by using this scenario:
Peter loves music.  He believes that if he listens to music while studying he will do better on tests. His mother thinks it is distracting and he would do better without it. Help Peter settle his argument!