Scientific Method Lesson
1:
Steps of the
Scientific
Method
How the scientific method is used to
plan and execute an experiment
Steps of the
Scientific Method
1. Make an observation
2. Ask a question
3. Propose a hypothesis
4. Experiment and test the hypothesis
5. Analyze Data
6. Draw a Conclusion
7. Communicate your results
Step 1: Make an Observation
Identify a problem or observation
Observation - using our 5 senses to
gather information about the world
around us
- 2 types of observations:
QUALITATIVE AND
QUANTITATIVE
Observations should be accurate
and objective to avoid opinions or
bias/favoritism
Step 2: Ask a Question
Decide what you want to find out Question should be measurable and
and state it in the form of a question answerable through experimentation
Ask a question about something that Question: “How does the amount of
you observe: sunlight a plant receives affect its
HOW growth?” “Why do plants grow taller
WHAT when exposed to light as opposed to
WHEN in the dark?”
WHO
WHICH
WHY
WHERE
Step 3: Propose a Hypothesis
Gather information on the Format:
question and predict what you
think will happen based on your "If _____[I do this] _____, then
research
_____[this]_____ will happen."
HYPOTHESIS = AN EDUCATED
GUESS about how things work Hypothesis should include
predictions that can measure
An attempt to answer your through experimentation and
question with an explanation research
that can be tested
Step 4: Test the Hypothesis
(experiment)
To test the hypothesis, a Experiment tests whether
scientist can design an your prediction is accurate
experiment and if it is supported or not
EXPERIMENT = a procedure to
test a hypothesis under
controlled conditions
It is a way to quantifiably test
your predictions and should be
able to be repeated by another
scientist
Three Kinds of Variables
Independent Dependent Controlled
The one that is The item that Quantities/items that
changed by the responds to the you want to remain
scientist change of the constant, and must
A good experiment has independent variable; observe them as
only ONE it changes when the carefully as the
independent variable dependent variables
is changed
Review of Steps of the Scientific
Method
02
Scientific
Variables
You can enter a subtitle
here if you need one
Three Kinds of Variables in the
Scientific Method
Independent Dependent Controlled
The one that is The item that Quantities/items that
changed by the responds to the you want to remain
scientist change of the constant, and must
A good experiment has independent variable; observe them as
only ONE it changes when the carefully as the
independent variable dependent variables
is changed
INDEPENDENT OR MANIPULATED
VARIABLE
IN OUR
Independent
variable
EXAMPLE,
The one variable that we
WHAT IS THE
have chosen to change in INDEPENDENT
our experiment
Amount of this variable VARIABLE???
and how we “use it” is
completely under our
DEPENDENT OR RESPONDING
VARIABLE
IN OUR
EXAMPLE: Dependent
variable
WHAT IS OUR The data to be collected
DEPENDENT Variable will be
measured to determine
VARIABLE? results
Identify the
Independent and
Dependent
Variable
- How does studying
affect test scores?
- Is blood pressure
affected by caffeine?
BREAK TIME!
QUIZ TIME!!!
