SCIENTIFIC METHOD
COMPILED BY: GARRETT SCHATTE
OBJECTIVES
•
•
•
•
1.
2.
3.
4.
Develop a hypothesis
Develop an experiment to test a hypothesis
Collect data
Make measurements
SCIENTIFIC METHOD
1. Statement of Purpose or Question:
[What do you want to know?]
2. Hypothesis:
[What do you predict, in the form of an If…, then
statement]
SCIENTIFIC METHOD (CONT.)
3. Variables:
A. Independent Variable
[Factor being manipulated]
B. Dependent Variable
[Factor Which Responds - the one you measure]
C. Constants or Controls
held constant]
[Factors that are
SCIENTIFIC METHOD (CONT.)
4. Standards of Comparison:
[Experimental Control]
5. Materials and Procedure:
A. Materials:
[List everything used to complete the
experiment]
B. Procedures
[Step by step Directions - number each step like a
recipe]
SCIENTIFIC METHOD (CONT.)
6. Qualitative Observations & Results:
[List things that could have been done incorrectly, and write
them down during the experimentation.]
7. Quantitative Results:
A. Raw Data
[Record in a table]
B. Results
[Display data using graphs. Averages or
Line of Best-Fit]
SCIENTIFIC METHOD (CONT.)
8. Analysis & Interpretation of Results:
[Describe in words the results]
9. Possible Experimental Errors:
[Give an explanation for each factor noted in step 6 that could
have had an affect on the experiment]
10. Conclusion:
[Include why your results did, or did not, support the
Hypothesis]
11. Recommendations for further
experimentation based on your data &
practical applications:
TEACHING EXAMPLES
OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
THE PAPER TOWEL WITH
GREAT HOLDING
POWER
1. Statement of Purpose or Question:
Which paper towel will hold the most water?
2. Hypothesis:
When Brawny, Scott and a store brand are tested for
absorbency, then … will be proven to hold the most
water.
3. Variables:
A. Independent Variable
Brand of paper towel
B. Dependent Variable
Brand of paper towel
C. Constants or Controls
Amounts of water added to paper towel
Size of the paper towel
Process of determining amount of water left
Time water is on paper towel
Test all three brands around the same time and on the same
day
4. Standards of Comparison:
Color and size of each brand of paper towel
5. Materials and Procedure :
A. Materials
roll of Brawny, Scott & store brand
Graduated cylinder
calculator
extra paper towels
water
scissors
pan
ruler
B. Procedures:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Get all materials.
Review my directions for experiment.
Cut paper towels into 4 cm x 4 cm squares.
Lay one square of Bounty paper towel in the e pan.
Measure out 10 ml of water and add to paper towel in
pan.
Let it set for one for one minute.
Pick up paper towel with forceps and let the extra
water drip out of paper towel until the drops are at
least five seconds apart.
Pour water in cake pan back into the graduated
cylinder and calculate the amount of water the square
of paper to held.
Repeat steps 5-9 for each paper towel for total of fifty
times.
6. QUALITATIVE OBSERVATIONS:
Some water was lost when it was returned to the
graduated cylinder.
Water temperature was hard regulate.
During some test the air conditioner was on.
7. Quantitative Results:
A. Raw Data
Paper Towel Brand
Table
1
2
3
4
5
Class Avg.
Brawny
Scott
Store
B. Results
Paper Towel with
Greatest Holding Power
10
Average Amount of
Water Held in mL
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
Brawny
Scott
Store
8. Analysis & Interpretation of Results:
[In words describe what was discovered.]
9. Possible Experimental Errors:
[Review step 6 and write statements of
what you observed.]
10.Conclusion:
[State whether your hypothesis was correct and Include
why your results did, or did not, support the Hypothesis]
11. Recommendations for further experimentation
based on your data & practical applications: