SCIENTIFIC METHOD
Also called the scientific process
WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD?
• It is a simple method scientists use to conduct an investigation.
• It is a structured/organized way to ask and answer scientific questions.
• Not a rigid step by step process. As we learn new things we may need to
go back and revise/change things and start again.
• Examples: Lab experiments, field studies, experimental design (engineering),
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nce/scientific-inquiry/scientific-methods.htm
TITLE
•
What is the inquiry (experiment) about?
•
Should include something about the manipulated variable
First Last Name
Period ________
10/1/2014
Page 1
Sugars Effect on Bubble Size
PROBLEM STATEMENT OR QUESTION
•
The problem you are solving. The question you want answered.
•
Written as: ‘How will the manipulative (independent) variable
affect the responding (dependent variable)?
•
The problem statement/question must have both the manipulative
and responding variable in order for it to be considered an
experiment.
•
Must be about something measurable.
•
AKA: The Purpose of the experiment.
(Review WS #5)
Mrs. Hoyer
Period ________
10/1/2014
Page 1
Sugar’s Effect on Bubble Size
Question:
Will gum with more sugar create a bigger bubble?
or
(Does gum with more sugar make bigger bubbles?)
or (How does the amount of sugar effect the size of bubbles you can blow?)
RESEARCH:
• Before carrying out any experiment a scientist finds out what is
already known about the topic .
• Activate Prior Knowledge
• Review other experiments or studies done on the topic
• Ask Questions, Make observations
HYPOTHESIS
•
A hypothesis is a prediction with a reason.
•
It is helpful to use the words increase or decrease
•
Written in the “if…..then…..because” format
•
I hypothesize that If we (describe the change in the manipulated/independent variable)
then (describe what you expect to happen) because (giving a scientific explanation on
why you think this).
Mrs. Hoyer
Period ________
10/1/2014
Page 1
The Bubble Gum Experiment
Question: Does gum with more sugar make bigger bubbles?
Hypothesis: If we chew gum with greater amounts of sugar then it will produce a bigger
bubble because the more sugar gum has, the greater elasticity it will have.
WRITING A HYPOTHESIS:
•
Read the following scientific questions:
• Does air pressure affect the height a basketball will bounce?
• Does the weight of paper used to design a paper airplane affect the distance it will
travel?
Success Criteria:
Identify the manipulated variable and responding variable in each question.
Write a hypothesis using the “…if……then…..because ……” format
Highlight the Manipulated Variable pink and the responding variable yellow.
Be sure to give a reason, based on scientific reasoning or observations.
VARIABLES
Manipulative or independent variable:
This is the variable that is purposefully being changed
in the experiment.
*When writing an experiment highlight the M. V. in Pink
Responding or dependent variable:
This is what is being measured in response to the
manipulative variable. (Ex. Temperature, number, time,)
*When writing an experiment Highlight the RV in Yellow
Controlled Variable:
The things that are kept the same in the experiment.
Control or Control Group:
A group that has nothing done to it.
Standard used for comparison in an experiment.
Mrs. Hoyer
Period ________
10/1/2014
Page 1
The Bubble Gum Experiment
Question: Does gum with more sugar make bigger bubbles?)
Hypothesis: If we chew gum with greater amounts of sugar then it will produce a bigger bubble because
the more sugar a gum has, the greater elasticity it will have.
Variables:
Manipulative Variable: Gum with different amounts of sugar (underline with single line)
Responding Variable: The size of the bubble blown (underline with double line)
Controls: Same size piece of gum, same chewing time, no talking while chewing, blowing with same
force
Control group: What should we compare it to. All things equal to experimental group except for factor
we are testing.
MATERIALS
•
A list of things you need for the experiment
• List only essential items
Mrs. Hoyer
Period ________
10/1/2014
Page 1
The Bubble Gum Experiment
Question: Will gum with more sugar create a bigger bubble?
Hypothesis: If we chew gum with greater amounts of sugar then it produce a bigger bubble because the
more sugar a gum has, the greater elasticity it will have.
Variables:
Manipulative Variable: Different types of bubble gum (underline with single line)
Responding Variable: The size of the bubble blown (underline with double line)
Controls: Same size of gum, same chewing time, no talking while chewing (italisize)
Control Group: Non blowing gum (like juicy fruit)
Materials:
Juicy fruit
Bubble Yum
Balance
scalpel
Big Five
Ruler
Timer
PROCEDURES
*A list of the steps needed to perform the experiment/lab.
*Write the number for each step. Left Justified. NOT A PARAGRAPH
1. Always start with collecting materials. (“Gather Materials.”)
2. Make sure your steps are numbered, in logical order, precise and detailed
enough to follow..
3. At least one controlled variable is identified or implied in the procedure.
4. You may include drawings to help explain your steps.
5. Manipulative variable must be included in your procedures (only one!).
6. You must explain how you are going to measure the responding variable.
7. Must state how and where to record measurements. (Record in data table.)
8. Must include validity measures (repeat experiment 3 times). (Trials)
9. Must include ALL safety measures needed in the experiment.
10. Last step is to clean up and put away materials.
Procedures
1. Gather materials.
2. Unwrap one piece of Juicy Fruit gum and place in mouth.
3. Chew gum for 3 minutes without talking. After 3 minutes, blow a bubble.
4. Measure diameter of bubble (in cm) from lips to end of bubble and record in data table .
5. Throw gum away.
6. Unwrap one piece of Bubble Yum gum and place in mouth.
7. Chew Bubble Yum for 3 minutes without talking. After 3 minutes, blow a bubble.
6. Measure diameter of bubble (in cm) and record in data table
7. Throw gum away.
8. Unwrap one piece of Big Five gum and place in mouth.
9. Chew Big Five for 3 minutes without talking. After 3 minutes, blow a bubble.
10. Measure diameter of bubble (in cm) and record in data table.
11. Repeat steps 2-10 two more times.
12. Find the average bubble size for each type of gum.
13. Safety Measures:
*Do not put gum back in mouth after touching it.
*Do not swallow gum
*Do not share gum
*Be careful not to drop gum on floor
13. Clean gum up and make sure it gets into the garbage.
OBSERVATION & DATA TABLE
1. Observation Table needs to include as many types of observations as
possible, using the 4 senses. (Qualitative Observations)
a. touch, sight, smell, sound (only taste if OK’d by instructor)
2. Data table (Quantitative data) must be made to include all results. This
means it must have both the manipulative variable and responding
variable.
3. Must have a title, repeated trials, units of measurement and the
average.
TWO TYPES OF OBSERVATIONS:
•
Qualitative observations use your senses to observe the results. (Sight, smell, touch,
taste and hearing.) They describe the characteristics of something like color, texture,
taste, etc.
•
Quantitative observations are made with instruments such as rulers, balances, graduated
cylinders, beakers, and thermometers. These results are measurable, objective and
precise. They include a NUMBER. (weight, volume, distance, quantity (how many))
Observation Table : Types of Gum
Senses:
Quantitative
Qualitative
Observations
Types of
Gum
Sight
Touch
Taste
Amount of
Sugar (g)
Juicy Fruit
Bubble Yum
Big Five
Type of
Gum
Juicy Fruit
Bubble Yum
Big Five
Bubble Diameter Measurements
Bubble
Bubble
Bubble
Size (cm)
Size (cm)
Size (cm)
Average
Diameter
Trial 1
(cm)
Trial 2
Trial 3
CONCLUSION AND ANALYSIS
Two paragraphs and two questions for further study.
1. Paragraph one:
a. Introduce your experiment (What was the question.)
b. Restate hypothesis
c. Support or reject (deny) your hypothesis
2. Paragraph two:
a. Include the high point and low point of your data (use averages) (difference between)
b. Make a comparative statement using data from the experiment.
c. Include an analysis – what did you learn or why did this occur.
d. Answer the original question.
3. 1. Create 2 questions for further study
a. Change the responding OR manipulated variable in each question to further
investigate.
EXAMPLE OF QUESTIONS
1. Does the flavor last longer in gum with more sugar?
2. Create another question….