1. Scientific Method

2. 1. Observation Leads to collecting data
Data: The information collected from an experiment.

3. 2. Asking a Question
Based on observations; one or more questions are generated

4. 3. Hypothesis hypo (less than) thesis (theory)
Explanation for what you have seen and recorded
An educated guess
a question or statement that can be tested.

5. Forming a Hypothesis
Statement is testable if evidence can be collected that either does or doesn’t support it
It can never be proven beyond doubt
Often must be refined and revised or discarded

6. 4. Predicting
To test hypothesis it is necessary to make predictions that logically follows from the hypothesis
A statement made in advance that states the results that will be obtained from testing the hypothesis
Often in the form of an “if-then” statement

7. 5. Experiment
A procedure to test a hypothesis, under controlled conditions – conducting a controlled experiment.

8. Kinds of Variables
Controlled Variable – a variable that is not changed
Also called constants
Allow for a “fair test”
Controls ensure that all variables in the experiment are the same except for the variable being tested.

9. Kinds of Variables
Independent Variable – something that is changed by the scientist
What is tested (the treatment)‏
What is manipulated

10. Kinds of Variables
Dependent Variable – something that might be affected by the change in the independent variable
What is observed
What is measured
The data collected during the investigation (the result of the treatment)‏

11. Collecting Data
Data is data, it isn't right or wrong - presented in tables, charts, notes or diagrams.
Two Types
Quantitative
Qualitative

12. Types of Data Quantitative Data quantity - measured in numbers
Qualitative Data
quality - measured in words (descriptions)

13. 5. Analyzing Data
Make interpretations of data by graphing data, correlating data with facts, using mathematical analysis etc.

14. 6. Conclusions
Report data - put your numbers into words. Answer: What was found out and how do you know it to be true? How did it relate to your hypothesis? Did it support or fail to support?
All valid data is reproducible
The experiment must be repeated to confirm the results

15. Communication Share the results of their studies with other scientists
Publish findings in journals or at scientific meetings
Sharing of information is essential to scientific process
Subject to examination and verification by other scientists
Allows scientists to build on the work of others

17. For Example:

18. Students of different ages were given the same jigsaw puzzle to put together. They were timed to see how long it took to finish the puzzle.

19. Identify the variables
in this investigation.

20. What was the independent variable?
Ages of the students
Different ages were tested by the scientist

21. What was the dependent variable?
The time it to put the puzzle together
The time was observed and measured by the scientist

22. What was a controlled variable?
Same puzzle
All of the participants were tested with the same puzzle.
It would not have been a fair test if some had an easy 30 piece puzzle and some had a harder 500 piece puzzle.

23. Another example:

24. An investigation was done with an electromagnetic system made from a battery and wire wrapped around a nail. Different sizes of nails were used. The number of paper clips the electromagnet could pick up was measured.

25. What are the variables in this investigation?

26. Independent variable:
Sizes of nails
These were changed by the scientist

27. Dependent variable: Number of paper clips picked up
The number of paper clips observed and counted (measured)

28. Controlled variables:
Battery, wire, type of nail
None of these items were changed

29. One more:

30. The higher the temperature of water, the faster an egg will boil.

31. Independent variable – temperature of water
Dependent variable – time to cook an egg
Controlled variable – type of egg

32. Last one:

33. The temperature of water was measured at different depths of a pond.

34. Independent variable – depth of the water
Dependent variable – temperature
Controlled variable – thermometer