1. Methods of Scientific Investigation
Once known as The Scientific Method

2. Things to keep in mind: It is an ongoing process with a goal in mind
The steps are flexible-
Not a one size fits all routine
Some steps may be repeated multiple times
process is just as important as results
Do you know why you are doing what you are doing?
Are you making meaningful decisions based on your results?
What do you hope to see with your changes?

3. The parts

4. The beginning Observation Asking questions Wanting to solve a problem
These could be done in any order
Help you to figure out what you want to know
Help you decide what to test
The beginning
Observation
Asking questions
Wanting to solve a problem
Hypothesizing
Predicting

5. The MIDDLE Planning Determining variables or factors
These could be done in any order
Help you to figure out what you want to know
Help you decide what to test
The MIDDLE
Planning
Determining variables or factors
(dependent vs. independent ring a bell)
Planning your course of action
Testing your course of action, collecting and organizing data
Revising your course of action
Testing again and again and again

6. Side NOTE 1 Control Setup Dependent Variable/Factor
What you hope to see change when you change a factor
Independent Variable/Factor
Factor you change in order to see results
Control Setup
Setup where nothing changes in order to make a comparison
FOR EXAMPLE: I decide to see how much water a plant needs to grow. I set up 4 pots with 4 of the same plants, the same type and amount of soil, and put them in the same area of my room to make sure they have the same amount of sunshine. I water one plant with 1 cup of water, one plant with 2 cups of water, one plant with 3 cups of water, and one plant with 4 cups of water. I also decide to set up a 5th plant with the same soil, plant, and sunlight but will not water it at all.
What is the independent factor? What is the dependent factor? And what is the control setup?

7. SidE NOTE 2 Ways we can collect data are:
Pictures
Drawings
Charts
Diagrams
Measuring
Ways we organize/ analyze data are:
Charts
Drawings and pictures
Graphs
Diagrams

8. The end, OR IS IT???? This is the process that NEVER ends
You may have a conclusion, but then you make new hypotheses, theories, and laws from that information
You may decide to test a different factor to compare your results to something besides the control
You may have discovered something completely new and have to retest to see if you get the same results

9. Oh and don’t forget…. You need to inform the public about your results
You can do this through many methods:
Newspapers
Magazines
Journals
Lab reports
Posters and PowerPoint
videos