Scientific Method Notes

Steps to Scientific Method

• Observe / Ask Question• Research – Experts– Reliable print sources (Journals, .gov / .edu

websites, reference books) - • Why are blogs, social media, .com, and .org sites not

often great sites to use?• Are there times when they are good sources?

Steps Continued• Hypothesis – based on research and prior knowledge; not

developed randomly• Experimental Design

– Independent Variable• Experimenter changes (manipulates)• X – axis• Only one can be tested

– Dependent Variable• Result; what is trying to be discovered• Y – axis• measurable

– Control Group• “normal” condition• Comparison group

– Constant – things that are kept the same to increase accuracy and precision

– DRYMIX

SideBar – Accuracy and Precision

• Accuracy– Closest to a known value– “the correct”

measurement– Poor accuracy, but good

precision is often due to equipment irregularities

– Equipment needs to be calibrated for accuracy

• Precision– The closeness of two

objects to each other– Repeatability– Good data is accurate

and precise

Back to Steps

• Develop Experiment– Materials– Procedure– Time

• Collect Data ( Qualitative and Quantitative)• Analyze Data (Charts, Graphs, Descriptions)• Draw Conclusion

– Must be corresponded to hypothesis– Recognizes possible errors– Suggests ways to improve experiment– Relate to prior knowledge / research

• Repeat Experiment

Example of Contants & 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.

Answers

• Independent Variable

• Dependent Variable

• Control Group

• Constants