(AND QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS)
Scientific methodis the way scientists learn and study the world around them
Scientific method starts with asking a questions and then trying to come up with the answers
These questions need to be able to be answered by observing and gathering evidence, measureable in some way
Observation s- gathering information by using your senses
Valid - truthful and confirmed, correct and accurate

Hypothesiseducated guess
Experiment must use controls that are quantitative (numbers, not emotions).
Science needs both the hypothesis and results to move forward.
Scientists examine the data and develop newer ideas.
Data - facts, figures, and evidence gathered through observations
This process leads to more observations and tweaking of the hypotheses.

Hypothesisa statement that uses a observations to make a guess without experimental evidence
Theoryuses observations and has experimental evidence, flexible enough to be modified if new data/evidence introduced
Lawstands the test of time, without change, confirmed over and over, creates true predictions for different situations, is uniform and universal
M odels have some experimental validity or is a scientific concept that is only accurate under limited situations .
Models do not work or apply under all situations in all environments.

The scientific method was developed to help scientists organize the process of solving problems.
True
False
TRUE
• Scientific method is an objective step-by-step way of looking at natural events
• Use these methods and procedures to explain and answer questions
• Scientific method can be used to prove or disprove statements made by others
• Requires observable and quantifiable evidence and data.

Which of these is not a step of the scientific method?
Hypothesis
Experiment
Conclusion
Plagiary
Plagiary
• Start with a problem or question
• Then develop a hypothesis that offers an answer to the question
• Develop and perform an experiment
• Record your results
• Analyze results and develop a conclusion that answers the original question

Which of these words would you NOT associate with the scientific method?
Disorganized
Organized
Data
Control
Disorganized
• The scientific method is an organized way to help scientists
(and everyone) solve problems
• As you complete an experiment that tests variables and has controls, you record data and results.

A hypothesis is...
A Random Thought
An Answer
An Educated Guess
An Experiment
An Educated Guess
• A hypothesis is an educated guess that offers a possible answer to a problem
• An experiment is developed to prove the accuracy of the hypothesis

Which of these would be called results?
Number of Fruit Flies
Counting Fruit Flies
Seeing Fruit Flies on an Apple
Wondering Why a Fruit Fly was Born
Number of Fruit Flies
• The number of fruit flies would be the only results. The other choices are all steps in the process (Hypothesis,
Experiment, Observation).

What do you do to test a hypothesis?
Guess
Create a Spreadsheet with Data
Publish a Scientific Paper
Design an Experiment
Design an Experiment
• Conduct a series of procedures to test any hypothesis
• Developed experiment uses variables (changing factors) and controls (unchanging examples)

A control group is used as a comparison to the group where things (variables) are changing.
True
False
TRUE
• The control group is a group that is not experimented on
• The bread without water is the control group
• They are used as a baseline or static group in the experiment

An independent variable is a factor that changes because of procedures conducted on the dependent variable.
True
False
FALSE
• A dependent variable (responding variable) is a factor that may change because of what is done to the independent variable (manipulated variable)
• independent variable (manipulated variable) is the variable you change on purpose

Experiments are usually conducted one time and by one team to speed up the scientific process.
True
False
FALSE
• Experiments are performed hundreds to times before a scientific statement is accepted as a truth.
• The experiment would be performed using the same procedures
• To prove the hypothesis, the other testing team must be able to generate the same results.

Experiments often test multiple variables.
True
False
FALSE
• Experiments test for one variable
• If you have multiple variables you do not know what caused the difference

Argumentsstatements
Logic shows the relationships between the parts of an idea and the whole idea
(example if you understand how animals interact with each other then you are able to better understand the whole ecosystem)
Scientific method is a rational, logical thought process that is used to figure out facts and truths
All of the answers must be able to be proved
If multiple scientists do the experiment and the answer is different, someone did something wrong and everyone starts all over again.

• It is in two parts:
1. Start with specifics and come up with a theory. That's deductive reasoning
2. When you apply it to new areas, it is inductive reasoning
• You organize data into categories based on what they have in common
• In inductive reasoning your conclusions have more information than the facts you use
• You start with dozens of observed examples, take a leap, and assume millions of possible examples
• If the conclusion is true, then new assumptions are true

• Scientific inquiry- refers to the ways scientists investigate the world and explain them based on evidence they gather
• Variables- factors that can change in an experiment
• Controlled experiment- only one variable is manipulated
• Manipulated variable- independent variable
• Responding variable- dependent variable
• Control- the group that is not manipulated or changed
• Operational definition- a statement that describes how to measure a variable or define a term
• Communicating- sharing of ideas and findings through writings or speaking