Scientific Method Notes:
Mr. Bellerillo
Scientific Method:
Step 1: Problem:
An organized 5 step method of solving a problem through observations, data collection,
experimentation, and analysis.
A question that requires an answer
Ex. Does rock music effect the grow height of a bean plant.
Step 2: Hypothesis:
An educated guess (inference) to a possible answer to the problem that is based on
observations.
:Qualitative Data: Evidence collected through the use of prior knowledge and your senses.
:A hypothesis must be testable
:Use an If, then statement
Ex. If a bean plant receives 10 hours of rock music on volume level 5 then, it will grow to a height of 47 cm
over a 30 day testing period.
Step 3: Experiment:
A detailed, step by step, set of testing instructions.
Independent variable: The variable you are testing. Ex. Rock music
Dependent variable:
This is the outcome or the answer determined by the experimentation
Controls: Parts of the experiment where every testing procedure is kept exactly the same for all test
subjects.
Ex. 1. Same type of bean seed: Great Northern Bean
2. Same type of container: Styrofoam cup
3. Same size of container: 473 cm3 (16 oz)
4. Same brand of potting soil: Miracle Gro Potting Mix
5. Same amount of soil per container: 400 (g)
6. Same depth seed is planted: 2.5 cm
7. Same type of water: Tap Water
8. Same amount of water per container: 25 mL
9. Same amount of sunlight
Independent Variable Group: The group of test subjects that will be studied.
Control Group: The group of test subjects that will be used as a comparison to the independent variable
group.
Materials: A complete list of all materials necessary for completion of the experiment.
Procedure: A step-by step set of instructions of how to perform the experiment. The steps should be clear
and easy to follow. This phase is very important to the validity of the test. The steps must be
exactly as you performed them so that anyone can carry out the testing procedures identical to
the original test
Ex. Step 1: Gather all necessary materials.
Step 2: Begin with 10 (Type of container) measuring (Size of containers) (cm3) in volume.
Step 3: Using a pencil, poke a small hole in the bottom of each container to allow for drainage.
Step 4: Using a permanent marker, label 5 containers Iv1 – Iv5.
Step 5: Using a permanent marker, label 5 containers Cv1 – Cv5.
Step 6: Using (Brand of potting soil), place (Amount of soil) (g) in each of the 10 containers.
Step 7: Using a metric ruler, measure down from the tip of your index finger 2.5 cm and place a mark.
Step 8: Using your index finger, make a hole in the center of the soil 2.5 cm deep in each 10 containers.
Step 9: Place one (Type of seed) in each hole and cover with soil.
Step 10: Give all 10 containers 25 ml of tap water.
Data Tables:
Ex.
To calculate the average daily growth, add Iv 1
through Iv5 and divide by 5.
Data Table 1
Independent Variable Group
Days
Iv 1
Iv 2
Iv 3
Iv 4
Iv 5
Average
Daily
Growth
3
6
9
12
15
18
21
24
27
30
Average
Individual
Growth
0 cm
0 cm
0 cm
0 cm
0cm
0 cm
3 cm
2.8 cm
3.2 cm
3 cm
2.6 cm
2.9 cm
6 cm
6.8 cm
6.2 cm
6 cm
6.6 cm
6.3 cm
To calculate the
“Average Individual
Growth” total each
individual plant’s
growth and divide by
10.
12.2 cm
17.5 cm
20.6 cm
23.4 cm
29.8 cm
32.2 cm
35.3 cm
18
cm
18.4 cm
18.1 cm
18
cm
18
cm
18 cm
Average growth in height (cm) over a 30 day testing period of the Manipulative Group is _18_ cm
Step 4: Analysis:
Example:
18
16
Average height (cm)
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
IV Group
C Group
Average growth in height of the “Independent Variable Group” compared to the “Control Group”
Findings:
The “Independent Variable Group” grew an average of 18 cm tall over a 30 day testing period.
The “Control Group” grew an average of 10 cm tall over a 30 day testing period.
Therefore, the “Independent Variable Group” grew an average of 8 cm taller than the “Control Group”.
Example:
Manipulated Variable Group
18
Average height in (cm)
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
IV1
Finding:
IV1 grew an average of 18 cm.
IV2 grew an average of 18.4 cm.
IV3 grew an average of 18.1 cm.
IV4 grew an average of ____cm.
IV5 grew an average of _____cm.
IV2
IV3
. .. .
Control Group
16
Average height in (cm)
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0
C1
C2
C3
. .. .
Finding:
C1 grew an average of 14 cm.
C2 grew an average of 10 cm.
C3 grew an average of 16 cm.
C4 grew an average of __ cm.
C5 grew an average of __ cm.
Step 5: Conclusion:
The conclusion is a brief summation of the entire research project and the final results that
will have either proven or disproved your hypothesis.
Example:
The purpose of this research was to determine if playing rock music to a bean plant
would affect its growth in terms of height.
My hypothesis was If a bean plant receives 10 hours of rock music on volume level 5 then, it will
grow to a height of 47 cm over a 30 day testing period.
Five “Great Northern Bean” plants were subjected to rock music on volume level 5 for
ten hours a day. The duration of the test was 30 days. All other growing procedures
were kept constant. In order to compare differences in height, a “Control Group” of five
“Great Northern Bean” plants were grown using the same constants as the “Independent
Variable Group” with the exception that this group received no music.
Following analysis of the data, it was found that the “Independent Variable Group”
grew an average of 18 cm tall compared to the “Control Group” which grew an average of
10 cm tall. Therefore, the “Independent Variable Group” grew an average of 8 cm taller
than the “Control Group”. My hypothesis was found to be correct, rock music did cause a
bean plant to grow taller than a bean plants grown with no music.
Note: If something should happen to an individual plant or plants such as it did not grow or it
died at some point throughout the project, you must attempt to identify “why” it died as
this will have a direct effect on your results.