The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

Unit: 1Unit: 1

What is Science?What is Science?

• Science is an organized way of Science is an organized way of using evidence to understand the using evidence to understand the natural world.natural world.

• What is the goal of science?What is the goal of science?– The goal of science is to better The goal of science is to better

understand the world around us.understand the world around us.• Improve the quality of life.Improve the quality of life.

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

• Has six steps:Has six steps:– 1.1.Observation Observation (some sort of natural (some sort of natural

phenomenon). phenomenon). • What you see normally happening.(uses What you see normally happening.(uses

senses)senses)

– 2.2.Form a Form a HypothesisHypothesis (educated (educated possible guess) If…then… because.possible guess) If…then… because.

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

– 3.3.TestTest (create your own experiment (create your own experiment to test your hypothesis).to test your hypothesis).

– Your test setup must haveYour test setup must have•Control groupControl group- A setup that shows - A setup that shows

the natural way your phenomenon the natural way your phenomenon was observed.was observed.

•Experimental groupExperimental group- A setup that - A setup that tests your hypothesis, contains the tests your hypothesis, contains the variable.variable.

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method•Variable-Variable- The factor which has The factor which has

changed from control to experimental, changed from control to experimental, itit’’s what tests your hypothesis.s what tests your hypothesis.– Independent variableIndependent variable- factor in an - factor in an

experiment that a scientist experiment that a scientist changes, also know as the changes, also know as the manipulated variablemanipulated variable

– Dependent variableDependent variable- factor that is - factor that is measured or changes because of measured or changes because of the Independent variablethe Independent variable

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

– 4. 4. Record & Analyze DataRecord & Analyze Data- Record and - Record and organize data so that it can be determined organize data so that it can be determined if your hypothesis is true.if your hypothesis is true.• Two Types of DataTwo Types of Data

– Quantitative ( numbers, measurements)Quantitative ( numbers, measurements)– Qualitative (physical characteristics, changes)Qualitative (physical characteristics, changes)

– 5. 5. Form a ConclusionForm a Conclusion- Decide if your - Decide if your hypothesis is correct. State why or why hypothesis is correct. State why or why not.not.

Scientific Method Cont.Scientific Method Cont.

– 6. 6. Repeat WorkRepeat Work- Very important, helps - Very important, helps to verify your results and your to verify your results and your conclusion.conclusion.

*SHARE ALL results with others, the *SHARE ALL results with others, the more your work is repeated the more more your work is repeated the more reliable it becomes.reliable it becomes.

The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

• TheoryTheory- A time tested concept.- A time tested concept.– When your hypothesis has been When your hypothesis has been

tested to the point that it is unlikely to tested to the point that it is unlikely to be disproved, it becomes theory.be disproved, it becomes theory.

– The more a theory is tested (resulting The more a theory is tested (resulting in the same outcome) the more valid in the same outcome) the more valid it becomes.it becomes.