THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
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WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD?
A systematic approach to problem solving.
A method that is applied in all scientific
investigations.
6 STEPS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD
1. Problem –
2. Research –
3. Hypothesis –
4. Experiment –
5. Observation –
6. Conclusion –
STATE THE PROBLEM
This is the purpose of the investigation.
Usually a question.
Example; Do mice grow larger if given Vitamin C?
DO SOME RESEARCH
Various resources: internet, text, encyclopedias,
interview, etc.
You must educate yourself about your investigation so
that you can make an “educated guess” to test.
DEVELOP A HYPOTHESIS
A hypothesis is an educated guess based on research.
The hypothesis is what you are testing in an
investigation.
PERFORM THE EXPERIMENT
Design and perform an experiment that will test your
hypothesis for accuracy.
To do this you must be able to identify your variables.
OBSERVATION: LOOK AT YOUR DATA
Data includes the measurements and data
STATE THE CONCLUSION
Was hypothesis correct or incorrect and why?
Ex. Our hypothesis was incorrect because…
DRAW THIS PICTURE – IT WILL HELP YOU REMEMBER THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD.
QUICK EXAMPLE. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO WRITE ANY OF THIS DOWN.
VARIABLES
Independent Variable
Dependent Variable
The “thing” that is being
changed by YOU - by your
manipulation.
The “thing” that reacts to
what you have changed
(depends on the other).
There can only be ONE
independent variable.
This is the “thing” you are
MEASURING.
Controlled Variables
These are the “things” that stay the same throughout the
experiment.
LET’S APPLY WHAT WE’VE
LEARNED….
APPLY WHAT YOU’VE LEARNED…..
To test whether aspirin can keep flowers fresher for a longer
period of time, take two large beakers (labeled A and B) with
equal amounts of water. Place one red carnation in each
beaker. In beaker A put one tablet of aspirin. In Beaker B do
not put aspirin. Identify the following with regard to this
particular experiment.
What is the independent variable?
Amount of Water
Aspirin
Carnations
Time the flowers stay fresh
Apply what you’ve
learned…..
• To test whether aspirin can keep flowers
fresher for a longer period of time, take two
large beakers (labeled A and B) with equal
amounts of water. Place one red carnation in
each beaker. In beaker A put one tablet of
aspirin. In Beaker B, do not put aspirin.
Identify the following with regard to this
particular experiment.
What is the dependent variable?
Amount of Water
Size of beakers
Size of carnations
Time the flowers stay fresh
Apply what you’ve
learned…..
• ”If the amount of sunlight
available increases, the rate of
photosynthesis in a plant will also
increase".
This statement is an example of a(n)
Conclusion
Purpose
Analysis
Hypothesis
Apply what you’ve
learned…..
• The effect of one minute of walking and
one minute of running on the pulse and
respiration rates of a human.
In this experiment, what is/are the
dependent variable(s)?
Speed
Time
Pulse & Respiration Rates
Walking & Running
Apply what you’ve
learned…..
• If you were doing research on the
deadly E-bola virus, which resource
in the library would give the most
current information?
Internet
Book
World Book Encyclopedia
Reader’s Guide
Apply what you’ve
learned…..
• The effect of one minute of walking and
one minute of running on the pulse and
respiration rates of a human.
In this experiment, what is/are the
controlled variable(s)?
Speed
Time
Pulse & Respiration Rates
Walking & Running
Apply what you’ve
learned…..
• Scientists must analyze the results
of an experiment before they:
Form a hypothesis
Perform experiment
Identify a control
Draw a conclusion