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Slides Notes Scientific Method

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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.
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