Name: Date: Pd: Scientific Method A scientific method is a systematic approach used in scientific study, whether it is chemistry, biology, physics, or another science. It is an organized process used by scientists to do research, and it provides a method for scientists to verify the work of others. Scientists must describe their methods when they report their results. If other scientists cannot confirm the results after repeating the method, then doubt arises over the validity of the results. Scientific study usually begins with observations or gathering information. Usually, qualitative data - information that describes color, odor, shape, or some other physical characteristic is the first type of observation. Chemists also collect quantitative data, or numerical data, by measuring pressure, temperature, and volume. A hypothesis is a tentative, testable statement or prediction about what has been observed. When a hypothesis is supported by observational evidence from multiple investigations, the hypothesis is usually considered valid and is accepted by the scientific community. If the hypothesis is not supported by observational evidence from scientific investigations, the hypothesis is revised and additional investigations are conducted. Even when a hypothesis is not supported by an investigation, additional scientific information is usually learned during the process. An experiment is a set of controlled observations that test the hypothesis. The scientist must carefully plan and set up one or more laboratory experiments in order to change and test one variable at a time. A variable is a quantity or condition that can have more than one value. An independent variable is changed in the experiment. A dependent variable changes in response to a change in the independent variable. A control serves as a standard for comparison. Once data has been gathered, it must be organized and summarized into charts, graphs, diagrams, or models. Then the data is analyzed in order to find trends and then used to make inferences. A conclusion is a judgment based on the information obtained. A hypothesis can never be proven, the data can only support a hypothesis and indicate that it may be true. If the data does not support the hypothesis, the hypothesis may be discarded or modified. Suppose your Chemistry teacher asks your class to test the hypothesis that table salt dissolves faster in hot water than in water at room temperature. Temperature is the variable you intend to change and is the independent variable, the rate at which the salt dissolves is the dependent variable because it changes in response to the independent variable. The control would be the room temperature water and is the standard for comparison. PAT (Pay Attention To) List: • • • • • • • What is the scientific method? How many steps does it have? Why is it important to follow a method? What types of data are there? What is a hypothesis? What is the difference between dependent and independent variable? Why do you think scientists need conclusions? T. Trimpe 2003 http://sciencespot.net/ INSTRUCTIONS. Please use the word bank to complete the following Form a hypothesis Communicate the results Perform an experiment Modify the Experiment Analyze the data/conclusion Identify the problem Create an experiment What do you want to know or explain? Use observations you have made to write a question that addresses the problem or topic you want to investigate. What do you think will happen? Predict the answer to your question or the outcome of the experiment. Yes No Yes Rewrite your procedure to address the flaws in the original experiment. No T. Trimpe 2003 http://sciencespot.net/
