1. Steps of
the
Scientific Method

2. The Scientific Method What is unique about science based knowledge?
How is scientific knowledge different from knowledge based on faith, emotion, anecdotes, or personal experience?
Science is based on Experimental Evidence and empirical studies.

3. The Scientific Method Ask a Question Conduct an experiment
Analyze the results
Report the findings

4. Fair Test
Experiment: Develop and follow a procedure that is a FAIR TEST
Comparison against a control
One variable tested at a time
Many repetitions
Observe objectively (double blind)

5. Controls
In a scientific experiment, the control serves as the standard for comparison.
The control uses a placebo for drug trials or would be the trials with “no treatment”.

6. Control Experiments must have a control for comparison sake.
The control is exposed to the same conditions as the experimental trial, except for the variable being tested.
Experiments must have a control for comparison sake.

7. Constants
The control and the test samples must have all other factors CONSTANT or the same so that any observed changes in the test group can be attributed to the one variable tested.

8. Independent Variable
The independent, or manipulated variable, is a condition that is s intentionally varied by the experimenter.

9. Dependent Variable
The dependent, or responding variable, is the factor that may change as a result of changes made in the independent variable.

10. Trials
Trials refer to replicate groups that are exposed to the same conditions in an experiment. .

11. Collect and Analyze Results and make a Conclusion
The conclusion can only be based on the experiment.
Any extrapolations must be tested with further experiments.

13. The Scientific Method Assignment
Study the Quick Studies Page in the Nutrition Magazine:
a) Identify the independent and dependent variable.
b)Describe the control group and the test group. Which one variable was tested? What variables do you think would have been controlled?
c)What is the number in the sample? Is this adequate repetition?
d) How would they make the experiment “Double blind”
e)Was the experiment a FAIR TEST according to the criteria discussed?