1. Scientific Method

2. What is the Scientific Method?
It’s a way to solve a problem with an organized set of investigation procedures.
The Scientific Method (Lyrical Life Science) audio clip

3. What are the Steps of the Scientific Method?

4. Step #1 Identify and State the problem
Usually in the form of a question

5. Step #2 Gather Information Research to find facts
Facts – something already known or observable or true

6. Step #3 Form a Hypothesis Suggested solution to a problem
An unproven theory
An educated guess
A testable prediction

7. Step #4
Perform an Experiment
Use variables and controls

8. Step #5 Make Observations and Record Data
Data – facts collected during an experiment
2 Types of Data:
Qualitative Data
Quantitative Data

9. 2 Types of Data: Qualitative Data - uses numbers
Quantitative Data – uses words

10. Step #6 Organize and Analyze Data Tables Graphs (bar, pie, line)
Charts
Diagrams

11. Step #7 Make Conclusions Summary that explains the data
Does data support the hypothesis?
Answers the question.

12. What's next?
Scientist share their results with others by publishing their results.
Scientist can make mistakes or errors and need to redo their experiments.

13. Re-test and try again if necessary
There is not a set sequence. I will not ask you to remember the order since you can begin at almost any step. However, you do need to know the steps involved.

14. Law vs. Theory
Law – Statement that seems to be true all the time (until we identify a situation where it can no longer be true). Often is described using equations in physical science.
Theory – a set of ideas, concepts, principles or methods used to explain a wide set of observed facts
“science is built up with facts, as a house is with stones. But a collection of facts is no more a science than a heap of stones is a house”
- Jules Henri Poincare’ (1905)

15. What's in an GOOD experiment?
Control group – the standard of comparison
Constant (s) – a factor(s) that do not change when other variables change
Variables – factors being tested

16. Two Types of Variables:
Independent Variable –
Cause
Experimenter controls/manipulates this
What you are testing
Dependent Variable –
Effect – (what is affected by the independent variable?)
Measurable – (Ask yourself - what are you observing or measuring?)
Countable