1. Scientific Method

2. Steps in the Scientific Method
Observation
State the Problem
Hypothesis
Experiment
Data Collection
Conclusion
Retest

3. Observations Gathered through your senses
A scientist notices something in their natural world

4. Observations
An example of an observation might be noticing that many salamanders near a pond have curved, not straight, tails

5. Hypothesis A suggested solution to the problem. Must be testable
Sometimes written as If…Then… statements
Predicts an outcome

6. Hypothesis
An example of a hypothesis might be that the salamanders have curved tails due to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live.

7. A procedure to test the hypothesis.
Experiment
A procedure to test the hypothesis.

8. Variable – factor in the experiment that is being tested

9. A good or “valid” experiment will only have ONE variable!

10. Controls and Variables

11. Scientific Experiments Follow Rules
An experimenter changes one factor and observes or measures what happens.

12. The Control Variable
The experimenter makes a special effort to keep other factors constant so that they will not effect the outcome. (ex: length of time, temperature, locations)
Those factors are called control variables.

13. What is the Purpose of a Control?
Controls are NOT being tested
Controls are used for COMPARISON

14. Other Variables
The factor that is changed is known as the independent variable.
The factor that is measured or observed is called the dependent variable.

15. Example of Controls & Variables
For example, suppose you want to figure out the fastest route to walk home from school.
You will try several different routes and time how long it takes you to get home by each one.
Since you are only interested in finding a route that is fastest for you, you will do the walking yourself.

16. What are the Variables in Your Experiment?
Varying the route is the independent variable
The time it takes is the dependent variable
Keeping the same walker throughout makes the walker a control variable.

17. 1. Control Group 2. Independent (Manipulated) Variable 3
1. Control Group 2. Independent (Manipulated) Variable 3. Dependent (Responding) Variable 4. What should Smithers' conclusion be? 5. How could this experiment be improved?
Smithers thinks that a special juice will increase the productivity of workers. He creates two groups of 50 workers each and assigns each group the same task (in this case, they're supposed to staple a set of papers). Group A is given the special juice to drink while they work. Group B is not given the special juice. After an hour, Smithers counts how many stacks of papers each group has made. Group A made 1,587 stacks, Group B made 2,113 stacks.

18. One more thing… it is best to make several trials with each independent variable.

19. Valid Experiments

20. Remember: To be a Valid Experiment:
Two groups are required --- the control & experimental groups
There should be only one variable
Control Group: used as a comparison; receives the normal condition
Experimental Group: receives additional or alternate treatment

21. Data Results of the experiment
May be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative

22. Data
Must be organized
Can be organized into charts, tables, or graphs

23. Types of Graphs Bar Graph- used to compare sets of data
Pie Graph-based upon a whole or %
Line Graph- follows a trend or period of time

24. Graphing in Science Data in correct location
Graph ✔ List
Data in correct location
Axes labeled with units (cm, L, s, kg, etc.)
Axes evenly spaced out
Accurate title
Correct graph type

25. Graphs

27. Conclusion
The answer to the hypothesis based on the data obtained from the experiment

28. Retest In order to verify the results, experiments must be retested.
Should be complete at least 3 times to obtain average data.

29. Solving a Problem 1)Identify a Problem
2) State Observations about the problem
3) Form a Hypothesis about the problem (if…then…)
4) Design an Experiment to test the hypothesis
5) Collect Data
6) Form a Conclusion
7) Retest