   State the Problem
   Develop a Hypothesis
   Design an Experiment
   Collect and Interpret Data
   State a Conclusion
   Communicate Results

What are you trying to find out? Ask the specific question the experiment is attempting to answer. Must be testable.
(Does air temperature affect the chirping of crickets?)

A hypothesis is an educated guess for a possible answer to the problem. Hypotheses are developed by using personal experiences or research. All hypotheses should be written in a complete sentence in this format: If______ then_______ because ________. ( If the temperature rises then crickets will chirp more because I hear them more on summer nights.)

An experiment includes materials and a procedure. The procedure is a series of steps that needs to be followed in the correct numerical order.

•   A controlled experiment has two identical set ups; a control and an experimental group.
Every variable or factor is identical in each group, except for the manipulated variable.
This variable is controlled by the scientist.
The responding variable is what the scientist is keeping track of during the experiment.
(How is the cricket experiment set up as a controlled experiment?)

Data is information you collect as you perform the experiment. Organize all your data in a data table and then analyze or examine your data using a graph. Graphs can often show patterns that you might overlook in a data table (line graph, bar graph, etc.). (The number of cricket chirps every minute at each temperature was recorded and graphed.)

The conclusion is a brief summary
that ties everything together. Include whenever possible the following:
•   Does your data support your hypothesis? Why or
Why not?
•   A brief summary of the experiment and the results
•   A discussion of lab errors if any
•   Support your hypothesis with additional research
(Results show that crickets do chirp more at higher air temperatures.)

•   After stating a conclusion, the scientist will then share his/her conclusions with others via internet, meetings or journal articles. Before communicating, a scientist may conduct several experiments in order to get the most accurate results possible.