The Scientific Method

High School Science

Why use The Scientific Method?

How can we determine if something is a fact or an opinion?

How can we determine an answer to a problem?

The answer is use the

scientific method.

Problem Solving Steps in Science

1. State a Question or Problem to solve

2. Gather Information about the problem

3. Form a Hypothesis

4. Perform an Experiment

5. Collect Data from the experiment

6. Report Theory or Conclusion

1. Question or Problem

The scientist is presented with a question or problem to answer.

Make sure only one problem is being studied.

2. Gather Information

The scientist does background research to see what other scientists have done before.

Use all available resources to collect data such as: the internet, books, magazines, personal interviews, etc.

3. Hypothesis

The scientist offers an educated guess (prediction) at the explanation or possible solution.

Remember your hypothesis can be changed it is not formed in concrete.

4. Experiment

The scientist performs a controlled experiment to test the hypothesis.

A controlled experiment is an experiment that contains only one experimental variable.

5. Collect Data

The scientist uses scientific tools to obtain information from the experiment.

The new data may or may not support the hypothesis.

Remember:

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”

--Thomas Edison

6. Theory or Conclusion

The experiment must be repeated many times by other scientists.

If the hypothesis is proven wrong, change the hypothesis, not the data.

Any Questions?

“He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever.”

--Chinese proverb