The Scientific Method
The scientific method is a flexible
framework guiding scientific study. It is a
set of logical steps by which scientists solve
problems. The Scientific Method involves
steps (the number varies depending upon
your resources)
Observation
Question or problem
Hypothesis
Method (Experimentation)
Data collection and results
Drawing Conclusions
Sharing results and peer review
Observation- You observe something in the
material world, using your senses or
machines which are basically extensions of
those senses.
Problem- You ask a question about what
you observe. What you want to know or
find out.
Hypothesis- You predict what you think the
answer to your question might be.
“Educated guess”
Method (Experimentation)- You figure out a
way to test whether your hypothesis is
correct. The outcome must be
measureable. (quantifiable)
Record and analyze dataAccuracy is important.
Numerical data are best recorded in an
organized table and may be displayed in
the form of a graph.
 You repeat the experiment (and have
others repeat it) to confirm your results.
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State Conclusion- You state whether your
prediction was confirmed or not and try to
explain your results.
The Scientific Method
It is important to have other scientists (or
in our case other students) review your
work to confirm your results.
Independent Variable
Set to a known value
Several independent variables may be
controlled in an experiment.
X axis
Dependent variable
Changes in response to changes in the
independent variable.
Y axis
Example
In an experiment where the vapor
pressure of a liquid is measured at several
different temperatures:
Temperature is the independent variable
Pressure is the dependent variable
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The Scientific Method - Vocabulary Terms
Using your textbook define the following
terms and give an example of each. Write
these definitions and examples as part of
your notes.
1. Variable
6. Control
Group
2. Dependent variable
7. Data
3. Independent variable
8. Trial
4. Controlled Experiment
9. Theory
5. Experimental Group
10. Scientific
Law