Scientific MethodScientific Method

Chapter 1 Section 1Chapter 1 Section 1

Def. of Sci. MethodDef. of Sci. Method

Scientific method is a series of steps Scientific method is a series of steps that you follow to help find a that you follow to help find a scientifically supported answer to a scientifically supported answer to a problem or questionproblem or question This process can be used by anyone!!!! This process can be used by anyone!!!!

Vocab Related to the Sci. Meth.Vocab Related to the Sci. Meth.

Variable-A factor in the experiment, Variable-A factor in the experiment, something that has the ability to affect the something that has the ability to affect the experimentexperiment

Controlled Variable-All the factors that you Controlled Variable-All the factors that you have to keep the same to make it a fair have to keep the same to make it a fair experimentexperiment

Vocab Related to the Sci. Meth.Vocab Related to the Sci. Meth.

Manipulated Variable-Whatever it is that you Manipulated Variable-Whatever it is that you are going to change (manipulate) in the are going to change (manipulate) in the experiment experiment

Responding Variable-The factor that is going Responding Variable-The factor that is going

to be affected in the experimentto be affected in the experiment

Please find manipulated and responding variaPlease find manipulated and responding variables for each questionbles for each question

Steps of the Sci. Meth.Steps of the Sci. Meth.

1.1. Make an observation-Make an observation-- The observation is just noticing something - The observation is just noticing something

about the world around youabout the world around you• Example-My grass is not growing this summerExample-My grass is not growing this summer

2.2. Ask a question based on the observationAsk a question based on the observation- Must be a testable question!!- Must be a testable question!!

• Example-List on boardExample-List on board

Steps of the Sci. Meth.Steps of the Sci. Meth.

3. Brain storm some possible ideas3. Brain storm some possible ideas Think about different optionsThink about different options Do not be afraid to think outside of the boxDo not be afraid to think outside of the box

• Examples-List on boardExamples-List on board

Steps of the Sci. Meth.Steps of the Sci. Meth.

4. Make a hypothesis4. Make a hypothesis- A hypothesis is an educated prediction as to A hypothesis is an educated prediction as to

what you think is going to happenwhat you think is going to happen- In this class you will be required to follow the In this class you will be required to follow the

IF (manipulated), Then (responding), IF (manipulated), Then (responding),

Because (Scientific Reasoning) format.Because (Scientific Reasoning) format.

Hypothesis ContinuedHypothesis Continued

To write a hypothesis you must first identify To write a hypothesis you must first identify your variablesyour variables• Manipulated-Manipulated-• Responding-Responding-

In the first part of the hypothesis you tell me In the first part of the hypothesis you tell me how you are going to manipulate or change how you are going to manipulate or change the experimentthe experiment

In the second part of the hypothesis you tell In the second part of the hypothesis you tell me how the experiment is going to be affectedme how the experiment is going to be affected

Hypothesis ContinuedHypothesis Continued

In the third and final part of the hypothesis In the third and final part of the hypothesis you must give me a scientific reason for you must give me a scientific reason for your predictionyour prediction YOU CAN NOT REPEAT TALKING ABOUT YOU CAN NOT REPEAT TALKING ABOUT

THE MANIPULATED VARIABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THE MANIPULATED VARIABLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Steps of the Sci. Meth.Steps of the Sci. Meth.

5. Design the experiment5. Design the experiment- In this phase we need to take the time to In this phase we need to take the time to

make a step by step procedure that will test make a step by step procedure that will test our questionour question

- It is very important to monitor and list as It is very important to monitor and list as many controlled variables as possiblemany controlled variables as possible

- Remember controlled variables keep the Remember controlled variables keep the experiment fairexperiment fair

Steps of the Sci. Meth.Steps of the Sci. Meth.

6. Gather and Analyze Data6. Gather and Analyze Data You first need to create a data table that willYou first need to create a data table that will

hold the data that you will be collectinghold the data that you will be collecting• To create table follow these stepsTo create table follow these steps

1. First column should be broken down by manipulated 1. First column should be broken down by manipulated variable (should have a minimum of three)variable (should have a minimum of three)

Steps of the Sci. Meth.Steps of the Sci. Meth.

7. Accept or reject the hypothesis7. Accept or reject the hypothesis• You do not get marked wrong if your You do not get marked wrong if your

hypothesis was wrong, remember it was hypothesis was wrong, remember it was only an educated PREDICTION!!!only an educated PREDICTION!!!

Bias and The Sci. MethodBias and The Sci. Method

Bias-Misinterpretation of data due to Bias-Misinterpretation of data due to personal beliefspersonal beliefs• People may lie or change data because People may lie or change data because

they do not want to believe the they do not want to believe the experiment, or they do not want to be experiment, or they do not want to be wrongwrong