Introduction to Science:

The Scientific Method

What is Science?

The knowledge obtained by observing natural

events and conditions in order to discover facts

and formulate laws or principles that can be

verified or tested.

What is the Scientific Method?

Step-by-step way in which scientists answer questions.

1. Ask a question.

2. Research the topic.

3. Form a hypothesis.

4. Test the Hypothesis.

5. Gather Data.

6. Analyze Results.

7. Draw Conclusions.

8. Communicate Results.

State the Problem/Questions

Develop a clear statement defining the problem

Make sure your problem is narrowed/specific

enough

Research

Write down all information you already know

Do research in books or using reliable websites

on the topic you are investigating

Ask experts on the subject you are researching

If you find an answer to your problem/question

you do not need to move on, you need to create

a new testable question

What is a hypothesis?

An explanation that is based on prior scientific

research or observations and that can be tested.

“Educated Guess”

“If… then… because” Statement

“IF I do this THEN this will happen

BECAUSE (explaining based on the research

you have found)

How do you test a hypothesis?

Experiment…

Develop a test or experiment to prove or

disprove your hypothesis

Must be run multiple times, a minimum of 3 trials

Must have only 1 independent variable (the factor

being tested)

Must include 2 setups

Experimental setup

Control setup

What are the parts of an

experiment?A Controlled Experiment is an experiment that

tests only ONE factor at a time by using a comparison of a control group and an experimental group.

Control Group

The group that the scientist changes nothing in.

Experimental Group

The group that the scientist has changed something. It is the variable in the experiment.

What is a variable?

The factor that is different from one group to

another. There are 3 kinds:

Independent variable

The factor that the scientist has changed in order to

test the hypothesis.

Dependent Variable

The result of what the scientist changed. What

happened in the experiment. What needs to be

measured.

What are constants?

They are what the scientist kept the same in

both the control group and the experimental

group. There can and SHOULD be multiple

constants.

How to remember the types of

variables

I (for independent), the scientist, have changed

this one thing.

Do (for dependent) you see what has changed?

Keep (for constant) everything else the same! (I

know Keep starts with a K and Constant with a

C but I tried!)

Let’s practice identifying

variables:

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.

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.

What is the Independent

Variable, the thing the scientist

changed?

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.

Independent Variable- The ages of the students

changed

Now what is the Dependent

Variable, the thing the scientist

must measure?

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. Dependent Variable- The time it took to finish

the puzzle

What are some of the Constant

Variables, the variables that will

always stay the same?

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.

Constant Variable- The same puzzle, the same

table, the same room, the same room

temperature, the same tester, the same

stopwatch, etc.

How can you gather data?

Make Observations.

Any use of the senses to gather information.

Qualitative Observations

Anything that you see, smell, touch, taste, or hear.

Ex. Blue, bitter, fizzing sound.

Quantitative Observations

Any observation that can be measured.

Must include a number.

Ex. 5 centimeters long

How can you analyze results to

determine patterns? Record Data

Write observations and measurements

Be consistent when you are checking your experiments and recording the results

Create tables or charts (Data Tables and Pie Charts)

Create graphs from collected Data (Line Graphs, Bar Graphs)

Complete all necessary mathematical calculations

How can you draw conclusions?

Answer the following questions in paragraph

form (Always explain in detail using scientific

vocabulary.):

Do your results/data support your hypothesis? Why

or why not?

What are ways you can improve your data?

What would you do differently if you were to repeat

the experiment?

How would you communicate

results?

Share data and information with others, such as

scientists.

Publish your findings in a book, magazine,

journal, the internet.

Summary of order in Scientific

Method:1. Ask a testable question

2. Do research to know about topic

3. Make a hypothesis in a

“IF….THEN…BECAUSE” statement

4. Run your experiment with at least 3 trials

5. Collect Data

6. Analyze Data

7. Draw you conclusion, based on your data

8. Communicate results with other scientist

You Do Time

On the left hand side of your IN, write a

hypothesis for these questions:

1) Does fertilizer affect the growth rate of a

plant?

2) Does air pressure affect the height a

basketball will bounce?

Now Identify the Variables

1) Warmer water temperatures will increase the heart rate

of fish.

Independent Variable_______________________

Dependent Variable________________________

2) The design of the paper airplane will affect the distance

traveled.

IV ______________________________________

DV ______________________________________

3) More light will increase the movement of meal worms.

IV ________________________________________

DV _______________________________________