Scientific Method
Ms. Pollock
Science 7
Learning Targets:
1. IWBAT identify the parts and steps to
planning an investigation or experiment.
2. IWBAT create tables, graphs, and write
conclusions in order to explain the results of
the investigation/experiment.
The scientific method is the process that
scientists use to learn new information about
our natural world.
In every well designed experiment there are 3
major variables:
1. Manipulated Variable (MV)
 This is what is being changed on purpose by
the person doing the experiment
 The overall category for groups that are being
compared or tested
 Stands alone; only 1 MV in an experiment
 Math = independent variable
 “manipulate” means to change or alter
something on purpose
In every well designed experiment there are 3
major variables:
1. Manipulated Variable (MV)
2. Responding Variable (RV)
 The factor(s) that are being measured or
observed
 The “data or results” of experiment
 The factor(s) that is changing due to the MV
 Math = dependent variable
In every well designed experiment there are 3
major variables:
1. Manipulated Variable (MV)
2. Responding Variable (RV)
3. Controlled Variables (CVs)
 These are factors that have to be kept the
same or “controlled so the data can be
compared
 Not all factors in an experiment can be
controlled, this all depends on the experiment
itself
In any well designed experiment there is only
1 MV, 1 or more RVs, and the rest should be
CVs as much as possible.
There are 2 types of Data that can be collected
in an experiment:
1. Quantitative Data
 This is data that is in the form of numbers; so
measuring speed, mass, height, etc… are
examples of this kind of data.
 “Quantity” – the amount of something
2. Qualitative Data
 This is data that is in the form of descriptions;
colors, smells, textures, etc… are examples of
this kind of data
 “Quality” – the different traits or
characteristics of something
A scientist or an everyday person has 2 types of
thoughts:
1. Observations
 Stating exactly what is being seen, smelled,
touched, tasted, or heard without any
opinions attached to what is happening.
 Example: The banana is yellow or 1 foot long
2. Inference
 This is taking an observation and making some
conclusion/opinion/assumption about it.
 Example: Bananas grow where there is lots of
sunlight because they are yellow.
7 steps that scientists use
1. Scientific Question:
 The question has to be answered through an
experiment
 MV & RV are written in the question
 Testable, measurable, and specific
 *Not all questions are scientific; i.e.
“What is the meaning of life?”*
This question has no way of being tested so
that everyone will get similar results,
therefore it is not a scientific question.
7 steps that scientists use
2. Research:
 This is doing some background reading &
notes on the question or interested topic to
become an expert in that area
 Doing research helps scientists write a good
hypothesis
 Doing research helps scientists design good
experiments
7 steps that scientists use
3. Hypothesis:
 This is the prediction or educated guess to the
scientific question
 A hypothesis statement includes the MV and
how it is changed, RV and how it is changed,
and a reason.
If the (Manipulated variable)
(Describe
how it will be changed)
then the
__(Responding variable)
will
(Describe the
effect)
because…..
7 steps that scientists use
4. Materials and Procedures:
 “Material List” is the part with all tools and
items needed for the experiment, write in a
list form
 “Procedure” is the directions on how to do
experiments. It is specific and in step-by-step
format. Every good procedure has 6 parts:
7 steps that scientists use
4. Materials and Procedures:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Logical, orderly steps
MV is mentioned in the steps
RV is in the steps
CV(s) are mentioned in the steps
Be Specific
Steps show repeated trials
7 steps that scientists use
5. Data:
 This is the place where you record all your
measurements and observations
 The recording of data is done in an organized
way like a data table or t-chart
7 steps that scientists use
5. Data:
 Making a data table (5 parts)
1. MV Heading
2. RV Heading
3. Organized = columns and rows
4. Appropriate Units – found in parenthesis:
example (min)
5. Repeated Trials
7 steps that scientists use
6. Data Analysis:
 This is a time to review the data to determine
if a conclusion can be made
 To look for any patterns in the data or
anything unusual
 This is a time to make graphs to look for
patterns or unusual data
6. Data Analysis:
In every experiment there are 2 important questions to
ask yourself, so that a conclusion can be made: (you
must say yes to all these questions in order to make
honest inferences/conclusions)
 Repeatability:
Can this experiment/investigation be repeated by
another person and will they get the same
results?
 Validity (Valid):
“Is the data accurate and reasonable?”
“Is the data in the repeated trials close together
or way off?”
“Is the data good enough to say the hypothesis is
true or false?
7 steps that scientists use
7. Conclusion:
 This is either a paragraph or more explaining
1. What the experiment was about
2. If the hypothesis is true or false
3. Discuss high and low data
4. What the data means
5. Any errors
6. Infer how the data can be applied