1. Scientific Methods

2. DEFINITION

3. A series of organized steps that scientists use as a guide for answering a question or solving a problem
Provides a strategy or guide for seeking answers and solving problems

4. Not confined to the lab
Done in everyday life

5. SINCE there is no single way to approach and answer every question, there is no single scientific method

6. General Format

7. What’s the Correct Order?
Form Hypothesis Analyze Data Make Observation Draw Conclusion Conduct Experiment Ask Question

8. * Ask Question * Form Hypothesis * Conduct Experiment * Analyze Data
* Make Observation
* Ask Question
* Form Hypothesis
* Conduct Experiment
* Analyze Data
* Draw Conclusion

9. Make An Observation

10. A scientist notices something in
their natural world
Gathered
through
their senses:

11. Example
While sitting by a pond, you NOTICE that the salamanders have curved, not straight, tails.

12. Ask A Question

13. Triggered by an observation
One that is precise and can be answered through observation, measurement, testing, or analysis or information and research
AKA scientific or testable questions

14. Example
Does a salamander’s environment cause its tail to curve?

15. Form A Hypothesis

16. Possible answer or tentative solution for a question
Predicted answer AND explanation
More than an educated guess

17. Example
Salamanders have curved tails due to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live.

18. Conduct An Experiment

19. Procedure designed to test the validity of a hypothesis
AKA scientific investigation

20. Analyze the Data

21. Examine the observations made & information collected during the experiment

22. Data can be quantitative (numerical) or qualitative (non-numerical & descriptive)
Found on tables, charts, & graphs

23. Draw A Conclusion

24. Form an answer to
the hypothesis based
on the data obtained
& analyzed from the
experiment

25. Make Observation
Ask Question
Form Hypothesis
Conduct Experiment
Analyze Data
Draw Conclusion

26. Let’s Review

27. 1.
Which is an example of a good scientific question? A. Is green a nicer color than yellow? B. Do beagles make better pets than poodles? C. What is the average height of a beagle? D. How big is a dog?

28. Which is an example of a good scientific question?
A. Is green a nicer color than yellow?
B. Do beagles make better pets than poodles?
C. What is the average height of a beagle?
D. How big is a dog?

29. 2.
Which statement represents the correct sequence a scientist may follow as part of a scientific inquiry?
A. form a hypothesis, make an observation, ask
a question
B. make an observation, ask a question, form a
hypothesis
C. ask a question, form a hypothesis, make an
observation
D. make an observation, form a hypothesis, ask

30. Which statement represents the correct sequence a scientist may follow as part of a scientific inquiry?
A. form a hypothesis, make an observation,
ask a question
B. make an observation, ask a question, form
a hypothesis
C. ask a question, form a hypothesis, make an
observation
D. make an observation, form a hypothesis,

31. 3.
The purpose of conducting an experiment is to A. Answer a question B. Collect data C. To prove a hypothesis is correct D. To test a hypothesis

32. The purpose of conducting an
experiment is to
A. Answer a question
B. Collect data
C. To prove a hypothesis is correct
D. To test a hypothesis

33. 4.
There is only one way to do a scientific method.
False
True

34. False
since there is no single way to approach and answer every question, there is no single scientific method

35. 5. Data collected during an experiment can be
qualitative & quantitative
qualitative only
quantitative only
None of the above

36. Data collected during an experiment can be
qualitative & quantitative
qualitative only
quantitative only
None of the above