Steps of the Scientific Method Notes: Scientific Method: PART 1 What you will learn … The steps of the Scientific Method How to ask an investigative question How to write a testable hypothesis How to make an experimental plan How to collect and present data How to analyze data How to draw conclusions and look for improvements and errors Scientific Method = a series of steps used by scientists to answer a question. We shall take a closer look at these steps and the terminology you will need to understand before you start a science experiment. 1. Ask a Question 2. Research 3. Form a Testable Hypothesis 4. Design Experiment 5. Gather and Analyze Data 6. Conclusion 7. Test Again 8. Share Results 1. Ask a Question: Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation. Do you remember the next step? 2. Research: Find out as much as you can about your observation to form a testable hypothesis. 3. Form a Hypothesis: Predict a possible answer to the problem or question. Contains “If”, “then” and “because”. Example: If soil temperatures rise, then plant growth will increase because of increased metabolism. HINT!!!!! Hypothesis formula = If IV, then DV, because … 4. Design Experiment: Develop and follow a procedure. Include a detailed materials list. The outcome must be measurable. 5. Gather and Analyze Data: Include observations and measurements, presented using tables, graphs, and photographs (Scientist say, “data, data, data!”) 6. Conclusion: Explain what the data means. A single paragraph that sums up what happened in the experiment. Mentions if the hypothesis is supported or not supported by the data. Make recommendations for further study, possible improvements to the (how could experiment have been better), sources of error. 7. Test Again Based on the recommendations from your conclusion, test again with corrections or exactly the same for trials expecting the same results. 8. Share Results Publish results or share with peers to further the scientific understanding worldwide. Think you can name all seven steps? Make a Mnemonic to help: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Ask a Question Research Form a Hypothesis Design an Experiment Gather and Analyze Data Conclusion Test Again Share Results Caution! Be careful how you use effect and affect. Effect is usually a noun and affect, a verb. “ The effect of sugar amounts on the rising of bread.” “How does sugar affect the rising of bread?” Think “RAVEN”. Notes: Scientific Method: Part 2 Do you know the difference between the independent and dependent variables? Independent Variable = The factor that is intentionally changed by the experimenter, graphed on the X axis. Example: A type of fertilizer for plant growth Dependent Variable = the factor that may change as a result of the independent variable, graphed on the Y axis. Example: growth rate of a plant using a type of fertilizer Materials = List of items needed to conduct the experiment. Always include units in metric (centimeters, milliliters, grams, etc.) NOT non-metric (inches, cups, pints, etc.). Procedure = Steps to carry out the experiment, always detailed and include all areas of the experiment. Control Group = The group that serves as the standard of comparison because it is not varied. All experiments should have a control group. Example: the group of people getting a placebo (“sugar pill”), not the real drug for a disease (the group does not know this) Experimental Group = The group that has varied conditions. Example: a group of people getting the test drug for a disease Constants = all the factors that the experimenter attempts to keep the same. Example: when experimenting on deodorant, the constants would be the people and their eating and exercise amounts that stay the same. The deodorant would not be a constant because it would be changed by the experimenter. Can you think of some constants for this experiment? Trials replicated groups that are exposed to the same conditions in an experiment. Now go out and observe the world around you using the Scientific Method.
