Scientific Method Experimental Design What is the Scientific
- Slides: 13
Scientific Method Experimental Design
What is the Scientific Method? n Scientists follow a set of steps in order to answer questions about the world around them. n There are 7 steps to the Scientific Method.
1. Identify the Question or Problem n What are you trying to find out? n Can you develop an experiment to answer your question? n Research the topic using reliable sources § Reliable: scientific journals § Not reliable: Wikipedia
2. Form a hypothesis n. A hypothesis is an educated guess. It is what you think will happen. n The hypothesis is specific to the question. It is always a statement. n Use the following format: If ____ then ______.
3. Design an Experiment n An experiment is a step by step procedure used to test a hypothesis and find an answer to a question. n The experiment must be detailed and specific. Write it out in a numbered list ex: 1. 2. 3.
3. Design an Experiment n What materials will be used and what safety precautions will be followed? n How will you collect data? n How many subjects will be used? n How do make sure your data is valid? – Repeated trials – Use large numbers of subjects
4. Collect Data n Gather data throughout the experiment through observations n Keep data organized in tables and charts
5. Organize and Analyze Data n Organize data to keep it neat § Use Tables and Charts n Analyze data to see trends in data § Graphs – line and bar graphs. – Always use pencil
6. Form a conclusion n What happened in your experiment? n Does the data support or refute the hypothesis? – The data _____ my hypothesis. The data showed ______. n Identify unexpected results. n Are your results reliable? – Can they be duplicated by other scientists?
7. Future experiments n Did the experiment’s conclusion lead to more questions? The cycle can begin again.
Key Vocabulary There are 2 Groups in an experiment: 1. Control Group – the subjects who are kept under “normal” conditions. – Used as a basis for comparison. 2. Experimental Group – the subjects who are being tested.
Vocabulary There are 2 Variables in an experiment: 1. Independent Variable – the part of the experiment that is controlled by the person conducting the experiment. - “I” can change the independent variable. 2. Dependent Variable – the data that is being collected in the experiment.
Review n Can you identify the steps in the Scientific Method?