1. THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

2. What is SCIENCE?
*A process of inquiry - asking questions and getting answers
you do science

3. What is the Scientific Method?

4. The Scientific Method Is:
A series of steps used to help solve a problem or question.
A set of common steps that biologists and other scientists use to gather information and answer questions.
NOT a series of exact steps, but rather a logical strategy for drawing sound conclusions.

5. SO HOW CAN WE DETERMINE:
If something is fact or opinion?
The answer to a scientific problem or any other problem?
What conclusion should be drawn from a set of observations or data?

6. THE ANSWER, OF COURSE, IS TO USE
THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD!!

7. So then…what are the steps to the Scientific Method??

8. The Steps of the Scientific Method are as follows:
Define the Problem and/or Make Observations
Research the Problem
Develop a Hypothesis
Conduct a Controlled Experiment
Collect and Analyze the Data
Draw a Conclusion
Report Results

9. Step 1: Define the Problem/Make Observations
Make sure that only ONE problem is being studied.
Observe the topic being studied using the five senses.
Make sure observations are precise and accurate.

10. Step 2: Research the Problem
Use all available resources to collect information and data on the subject being studied.
Try libraries, Internet, books, magazines, newspapers, interviews, etc.
Proper research is VITAL to the rest of the scientific study!!

11. Step 3: Develop a Hypothesis
A hypothesis is a short definitive statement.
It is a reasonable and testable explanation for observations.
It might be an “if, then” statement.
Remember, the hypothesis can always be altered if the data does not support it!

12. Step 4: Develop a Controlled Experiment
Make sure the experiment contains a control group
Make sure the experiment has only one condition (or variable) being tested at a time.

13. What is a Controlled Experiment?
It involves 2 groups: the control group and the experimental group.
The control group is the group in which all conditions are kept the same.
The experimental group is the single condition being tested.
All other conditions MUST be kept the SAME.

14. Designing a controlled experiment:
In a controlled experiment, only one condition at a time is changed.
The condition in an experiment that is changed is the independent variable—it is the only variable that affects the outcome.
The dependent variable is the condition that results from the change. It “depends” on the independent variable.

15. Step 5: Collect and Analyze the Data
Information obtained from experiments is called data.
This data may be in numerical (quantitative) or verbal (qualitative) form.
Analysis may result from calculations, charts, graphs, etc.

16. Step 6: Draw a Conclusion
The conclusion may or may not support the hypothesis.
Additional experimentation must then take place to make sure the results are repeatable.
If the hypothesis is proven wrong, change the hypothesis, NOT the data.

17. Step 7: Report the Results
Results must be published to make sure that other scientists can reproduce the experiments and verify the results.
Repeated verification of a hypothesis over time may turn the hypothesis into a scientific theory.

18. Example: Scientific Method in Action
Problem: Is Raid the best insecticide on the market?
Research the problem-Look up information on all insecticides.
Develop a hypothesis-Raid is the best insecticide on the market. If I use Raid, then it will kill insects 30% faster than other products.
Develop a controlled experiment-Spray 5 separate plates with equal amounts of different insecticides. Cover each one with the same type and size glass. Add equal amounts of the same insects to each glass. Place them side by side and time the results.
Collect and analyze data, form a conclusion, report results.