1. The Scientific Method

2. What is Science?
The goal of science is to investigate and understand the natural world.
Scientists collect and organize information in a careful, orderly way, looking for patterns and connections between events.
Scientists propose explanations that can be tested by examining evidence.

3. How is Science Done? Science begins with an observation.
An observation is any use of the senses to gather information.
Data is the information gathered from making observations.

4. Two Types of Data Quantitative Data Qualitative Data Quantity
Numbers obtained by either counting or measuring
Example: A ball rolls meters
Quality
Descriptions and characteristics that cannot be counted
Example: The liquid turned orange.

5. The Scientific Method
The scientific method is a series of steps used by scientists to solve a problem or answer a question.
The Steps to the Scientific Method
Ask a question
Form a hypothesis
Test the hypothesis (experiment)
Analyze the results
Draw conclusions
Communicate results

6. Ask a Question What do you want to know or explain?
Use observations you have made to write a question that addresses the problem you want to investigate.
Example:
You walk into your house at night, turn on the light switch, but the light doesn’t turn on.
Why is the light not coming on?

7. Form a Hypothesis What do you think will happen?
Predict the answer to your question or the outcome of the experiment
A hypothesis must be stated in a way that makes it testable
The hypothesis is just a possible answer to a question, and it must be thoroughly tested
The light will not turn on because the power is out.

8. Test the Hypothesis Plan and carry out a controlled experiment
Only one variable is changed at a time
All other variables should be unchanged or “controlled”.
I will go to another room and turn
on the light switch to see if the light
will come on.

9. Control vs. Experimental Group
An experiment is based on the comparison between a control group with an experimental group.
Two groups are identical except for one factor
The control group serves as the comparison
It is the same as the experimental group, except that the one variable that is being tested is removed
The experimental group shows the effect of the variable that is being tested

10. Independent vs. Dependent Variable
The independent variable is the variable that is deliberately changed by the scientist.
The dependent variable is the one observed during the experiment.
The dependent variable is the data we collect during the experiment. This data is collected as a result of changing the independent variable.

11. Example
In order to test the effectiveness of a new vaccine, 50 volunteers are selected and divided into two groups. One group will be the control group and the other will be the experimental group. Both groups are given a pill to take that is identical in size, shape, color and texture.
Describe the control group.
Describe the experimental group.
What variables are kept constant?
What variable is being changed?
Group that doesn’t receive the vaccine.
Group that receives the vaccine.
The size, shape, color, and texture of the pill.
Whether or not the pill contains the vaccine.

12. Example, continued.
What was the independent variable? (What was changed?)
It is the addition of the vaccine to the pills that were given to the volunteers.
What was the dependent variable? (Effects?)
The observed health of the people receiving the pills.

13. Analyze the Results
Scientists create tables and graphs to organize data and observations.
Does your data support your hypothesis?
Hypothesis unsupported:
You flip the light switch in the next room, and the light comes on.
Hypothesis supported:
You flip the light switch in the next room, and the light does not come on.

14. More on Analyzing Is the data reliable? Yes… Draw a conclusion No…
Is your data or experiment flawed?
Modify the experiment to address the flaws in the original experiment

15. More on Analyzing What are some reasons the data could be incorrect?
Light bulb is burnt out in both rooms, so the power really isn’t off.
How would you modify the experiment?
Turn on all light switches in the house.
It is OKAY if your hypothesis is proven wrong!!!

16. Draw a Conclusion
Write a conclusion that summarizes the important parts of your experiment and results.
Scientists must conclude whether their hypothesis was supported or not supported.
Repeat to check for errors or ask new questions.
The power is out in my house because I turned on two light switches in two different rooms and neither light turned on.

17. Communicate the Results
Scientists share what they have learned so others can repeat the investigation to see if they get the same results
Results can be published in scientific journals or reported during presentations

18. Theory vs. Hypothesis
A theory may be formed after the hypothesis has been tested many times and is supported by much evidence.
A theory is an explanation for a broad range of hypotheses and observations.

19. The Scientific Method Song
Theme Song

20. The Scientific Method Song
State the problem
Form a hypothesis
Plan and carry out an ex-per-iment
Collect all the data
And draw a con-clu-sion