1. Scientific Method
Section 1.1

2. A. Scientific Methodology
One Goal of Science
provide natural explanations for events in natural world
Use those explanations
understand patterns in nature and to make useful predictions about natural events

3. B. Steps of Scientific Method
Observations: act of noticing and describing events in a careful, orderly way
these observations lead to Questions or problems which need to be solved
2. Hypothesis: possible explanation for problems or questions that can be tested

4. 3. Controlled Experiment (test) - only one variable is changed
a) control group: exposed to the same conditions as experimental group except for one Independent Variable (IV)

5. 4. Collect/ Record/ Analyze Data –
a) Qualitative Data: Words
b) Quantitative Data (numbers; measurements)

6. 5. Conclusions – experimental data is used as evidence to support, refute, revise your hypothesis.

7. C. Identifying Variables
1. Every experiment involves several variables –factors that can be changed

8. Independent Variables
Also called “manipulated variable” or IV
This is the variable you purposely change and test
Example: the temperature of the a room

9. Dependent Variable
Also called – “responding variable” or DV
The factor that may change as a result of the Independent Variable
Example: how fast plants grow in response to the temperature change.

10. Controlling Variables
Keeping all conditions the same except for the Independent Variable (IV)
Example: size of the container, type of soil, amount of sun, amount of water, use of fertilizer, same kind of seeds
When all variables are controlled, you can then conclude that the differences in your results are due to the changes in the Independent Variable (IV)