Scientific Method
A systematic approach to
problem solving.
What is the scientific method?
It is a simple method scientists use to
conduct an investigation.
 It is a way to ask & answer scientific
questions by asking questions &
conducting experiments.

Problem

Clearly stated in QUESTION FORM
– Why?
– How?
– What?

How do Jumping Jacks affect heart
rate?
Information
Exercise raises the heart rate in the short
term
 Exercise causes the body to need more
energy, more glucose must be broken
down and processed into usable energy
for cells
 More intense exercise causes the need
for more oxygen, more quickly. To keep
up the heart pumps blood faster, resulting
in a higher heart rate.

Information

What factors affect the problem

Observations- things that you can see,
hear, smell, taste, or feel
– Ex. Workouts include jumping jacks

Inferences- conclusion based on your
observations
– Ex. Jumping jacks are a good form of
exercise
Hypothesis

Educated guess prediction

Use If, then statements
– If ____ [I do this], then _____ [this will happen]

If students complete jumping jacks, then
their heart rate will rise.
Experiment
 Tests your hypothesis.
 Independent Variable- what the experimenter
changes
 Dependent Variable- what you measure (the
response to the change)
 Constants- things that stay the SAME
 Control group- group used for comparison
 Experimental Group- group that the IV is
applied to
Experimental Procedure
1.
2.
3.
4.
Measure your resting heart rate and
record the number of beats per minute.
Group 1 will complete one minute of
jumping jacks. Group 2 will sit in their
seats for one minute.
Both groups will immediately measure
their heart rate and record the number
of beats per minute.
Each group will calculate their change
in heart rate.
Calculate your change in heart
rate

(Heart rate after 1 minute) – (Resting Heart Rate)
Experiment EXAMPLE
Independent Variable- no jumping jacks
vs. jumping jacks
 Dependent Variable- change heart rate
 Constants- same person, same method
of taking heart rate, same amount of time
 Control group- not completing jumping
jacks
 Experimental Group- completing jumping
jacks

Data

Numerical Observations

Arranged in tables and graphs
Group
Heart Rate
(beats per minute)
No Jumping Jacks
100
Jumping Jacks
60
Data
V. Conclusion

Analyze the data
– Do you accept or reject your hypothesis?

Evaluate the research
What next??
If you reject your hypothesis (not
supported), you modify your hypothesis
and complete the experiment again!
 If you accept your hypothesis
(supported), you REPEAT the
experiment several times to gather
more data

Jumping for Joy

How did we do?

What should we do next?

What further research could we
complete? (Ex. Other forms of
exercise?)
REMEMBER THESE STEPS!
PEOPLE
 IN
 HERSHEY
 EAT
 DARK
 CHOCOLATE

Problem
Information
Hypothesis
Experiment
Data
Conclusions