1. A blueprint for experiment success.
Scientific Method
A blueprint for
experiment success.

2. What is the scientific method?
It is a simple method scientists use to conduct an investigation.
It is a way to ask & answer scientific questions by asking questions & conducting experiments.

3. I. Question/Problem Ask a question about something observed.
Why?
How?
What?
Question to be solved.
Must be about something measurable.

4. II. Hypothesis Educated guess about how things work. Prediction
Use If, then statements
If ____ [I do this], then _____ [this will happen]
Focus on one variable only.

5. III. Gather Materials/Create Experiment
How will you test your Hypothesis?
During this step you will develop a procedure for a reliable experiment, gather information that is relevant to the topic, and address safety rules

6. IV. Perform the Experiment
Tests your hypothesis.
Is it accepted (right) or rejected (wrong) ?
Change only one variable at a time.
Use a control or control group (A group that has nothing done to it. Standard used for comparison in an experiment.)
In order for results to be valid, conduct several tests.

7. IV. Perform the Experiment
Record your data in a data table.
Numerical (quantitative) data organized in rows and columns
The specific independent variables are listed
•The number of trials are listed
Blanks are left for the data (dependent variable) to be filled in

8. IV. Perform the Experiment
Title: Describing the Data
Trial
Variable 1
Variable 2
Variable 3 1 2 3 4 5
AVERAGE

9. V. Collect and Analyze Data
Reduce the data
Average (Mean)
Graph
Graph the data to look for trends & relationships.

10. VI. Conclusion Summary of your experiment.
After your experiment, analyze your data to see if your hypothesis was accepted or rejected.
If hypothesis is rejected, give possible reasons for the difference between your hypothesis and the experimental results.