Notes: Scientific Method & Graphing:
Goals of Science: Understand, Predict, Explain…
The Parts of A Controlled Experiment:
_______________________: An educated guess. A testable scientific
explanation based on research stated in an “ if, then” statement.
________________________: A procedure that tests a hypothesis by
collecting information under controlled conditions.
________________________: The factor in an experiment that is kept the
same (constant) and is used for comparison.
________________________: The variable that is changed; it affects the
outcome of the experiment.
________________________: Variable being observed. Changes as a result
of the independent variable.
________________________: Information gathered from experiments; the
results.
- __________________: numerical data (graphs & charts)
- __________________: observational data (color, shape, texture)
________________________: A well tested explanation that unifies a broad
range of observations. Cell Theory, Theory of Evolution…
Scientific Method:
1. State the _________________
(research the topic)
2. Form a _________________
3. Set up an _________________ (identify materials needed,
procedures used step by step)
4. Record and _______________ the results
5. Draw a _________________ (was hypothesis correct?)
6. ________________ the experiment
Notes: Scientific Method & Graphing:
Goals of Science: Understand, Predict, Explain…
The Parts of A Controlled Experiment:
Hypothesis : An educated guess. A testable scientific explanation
Experiment : A procedure that tests a hypothesis by collecting information
under controlled conditions.
Control Group : The factor in an experiment that is kept the same
(constant) and is used for comparison.
Independent Variable : The variable that is changed; it affects the outcome
of the experiment.
Dependent Variable : Variable being observed. Changes as a result of the
independent variable.
Data : Information gathered from experiments; the results.
Quantitative: numerical data (graphs & charts)
-
Qualitative: observational data (color, shape, texture)
Theory : A well tested explanation that unifies a broad range of
observations. Cell Theory, Theory of Evolution…
Scientific Method:
1. State the problem
2. Form hypothesis
3. Set up experiment
4. Record and analyze results
5. Draw a conclusion
6. Replicate experiment
Example Experiment:
 Krusty was told that a certain itching powder
was the newest best thing on the market. It even
claims to cause 50% longer lasting itches.
Interested in this product, he buys the itching
powder and compares it to his usual product.
One test subject (A) is sprinkled with the original
itching powder, and another test subject (B) is
sprinkled with the experimental itching powder.
Subject A reported having itches for 30 minutes.
Subject B reported having itches for 45 minutes.

Conclusion:

Experiment Improvements:
Example Experiment:
 Krusty was told that a certain itching powder
was the newest best thing on the market. It even
claims to cause 50% longer lasting itches.
Interested in this product, he buys the itching
powder and compares it to his usual product.
One test subject (A) is sprinkled with the original
itching powder, and another test subject (B) is
sprinkled with the experimental itching powder.
Subject A reported having itches for 30 minutes.
Subject B reported having itches for 45 minutes.

Conclusion:
It works! 50% more itching

Experiment Improvements:
More tests, different people
Stewie’s Revenge:
Stewie believes that mice exposed to his top-secret
gamma ray gun will become extra strong (and help
him in his mission of world domination). He
performs his experiment by placing 10 mice in a
gamma ray chamber for 10 seconds. He compared
these mice to another 10 mice that had not been
exposed. His test consisted of a heavy block of wood
that blocked the mouse food. He found that 8 of the
10 gamma ray mice were able to push the block
away. 7 of the 10 non-gamma ray mice were able to
do the same.

With a partner answer these questions:
1. Control Group:
2. Independent Variable:
3. Dependent Variable:
4. What should Stewie’s conclusion be?
5. Experiment improvements?
Stewie’s Revenge:
Stewie believes that mice exposed to his top-secret
gamma ray gun will become extra strong (and help
him in his mission of world domination). He
performs his experiment by placing 10 mice in a
gamma ray chamber for 10 seconds. He compared
these mice to another 10 mice that had not been
exposed. His test consisted of a heavy block of wood
that blocked the mouse food. He found that 8 of the
10 gamma ray mice were able to push the block
away. 7 of the 10 non-gamma ray mice were able to
do the same.

With a partner answer these questions:
1. Control Group:
Non-gamma ray mice
2. Independent Variable:
Gamma ray
3. Dependent Variable:
Mouse strength
4. What should Stewie’s conclusion be?
Gamma ray gun has very little effect
5. Experiment improvements?
More exposure times, more trials, more
mice, different animal, different task
Graphing Data
1.
the graph.
2. Draw a horizontal
& vertical _____
3. Label the
(the independent variable
- usually time or dates).
4. Label
(the dependent variable)
5. Mark
on X-axis & Y-axis.
Evenly space numbers!
6. Plot your ___________
Graphing Data
1. Title the graph.
2. Draw a horizontal X-axis & vertical Y-axis.
3. Label the X-axis (the independent variable usually time or dates).
4. Label Y-axis (the dependent variable)
5. Mark increments on X-axis & Y-axis. Evenly
space numbers!
6. Plot your data.
Answer the following questions:
What is the title:
What does the x-axis show?
What does the y-axis show?
What are the increments on the x-axis?
What are the increments on the y-axis?
How many dolphins were seen in 1998?
Answer the following questions:
What is the title:
Number of Common Dolphins seen in Santa
Barbara Channel from 1996-2001
What does the x-axis show?
year
What does the y-axis show?
Number of individuals
What are the increments on the x-axis?
6 months
What are the increments on the y-axis?
1000 individuals
How many dolphins were seen in 1998?
5000 individuals