The Scientific Method
What does it mean?
It’s
the way scientists do their work.
It involves doing experiments.
It helps us discover the TRUTH!
It is very powerful.
Write down five things that wouldn’t
have been invented if it wasn’t for
science.
What does it involve?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Coming up with an idea.
Getting some funding.
Doing experiments.
Publishing your work.
Attending conferences.
Getting more funding.
Doing experiments…
There
are good and bad experiments.
You need to learn how to do good ones.
Good ones can be repeated by other
scientists. The results should be similar
to yours.
Good ones are clear and free of bias.
The steps to a good
experiment…
Step 1. Start with an observation.
You observe something that makes you
wonder. For example:




Why are things louder under water?
You sneeze when you look at the sun?
Why is the sky blue?
Why are most guys ring finger longer than
their index finger but girls aren’t?
The steps to a good
experiment…
Step 2. Write a Hypothesis



1.
2.
3.
Keep it simple.
Two variables only.
Must be testable.
‘Exercise increases heart rate.’
‘Sugar dissolves slower in cold water
‘Salmon spawn when the sea temperature
drops.’
The steps to a good
experiment…
Step 3. Design the experiment.
 Controlled variables.
 How many groups?
 How big are the groups?
 What gear do I need?
 How do I record my results?
The steps to a good
experiment…
Step 4. Write a prediction.
 What results do you expect?
 Link it to your procedure.
‘After five minutes of exercise heart
rate will increase by 10 beats
per minute.’
The steps to a good
experiment…
Step 5. Order your equipment.
Choose appropriate equipment.
What does this mean?
The steps to a good
experiment…
Step 6. Carry out the experiment.
1. Collect data.
2. Take careful measurements.
3. Use large samples.
4. Repeat the experiment.
5. Take averages.
The steps to a good
experiment…
Step 7. Draw inferences.
These are interpretations of your
data. For example, if you see that
the heart beat figures don’t go up in
the group after exercise then your
data DOES NOT support the
hypothesis.
The steps to a good
experiment…
Step 8. Write a conclusion…
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Refer to your hypothesis at the start.
Describe how you could improve your
experiment.
Make suggestions for further research.
Cite your references.
Easy? 