Steps of the Scientific Method Objective Identify steps

Steps of the Scientific Method Objective: Identify steps of the Scientific Method © Lisa Michalek

The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate a natural occurrence.

Let us take a closer look at the steps and terminology you will need to understand before starting a science experiment.

1. Problem/Question 2. Observation/Research 3. Formulate a Hypothesis 4. Experiment 5. Collect and Analyze Results 6. Conclusion 7. Communicate the Results

Steps of the Scientific Method Problem/Question Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.

Purpose/Question John watches his grandmother bake bread. He ask his grandmother what makes the bread rise? She tell him yeast releases a gas as it feeds on sugar.

Purpose/Question Ex. John wonders if the amount of sugar used in the recipe will affect the size of the bread loaf?

Steps of the Scientific Method Observation/Research Make observations and research your topic of interest.

Research Write down all information you already know Do research in books and online on the topic you are investigating Ask experts on the subject you are researching If you find an answer to your problem/question you do not need to move on

Observation/Research Ex. John researches the areas of baking and fermentation and tries to come up with a way to test his question. He keeps all of his information on this topic in a journal.

Steps of the Scientific Method Formulate a Hypothesis Predict a possible answer to the problem or question.

Hypothesis The hypothesis is an educated guess about the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. It is written in a “If… then…” statement

Formulate a Hypothesis After talking with his teacher and conducting further research, he comes up with a hypothesis. Ex. “If more sugar is added, then the bread will rise higher. ”

Independent Variable The independent, or manipulated variable, is a factor that’s changed on purpose. There can only be 1 independent variable in an experiment

Dependent Variable The dependent, or responding variable, is the factor that may change because of the changes made (independent variable)

Experiment Develop a procedure, list the needed materials and then, determine the control group and experimental group. The outcome of an experiment must be measurable.

Experiment His teacher helps him come up with a procedure and list of needed materials. She discusses with John how to determine the control group.

Controlled Experiment An experiment is based on the comparison between a control group with an experimental group. a) These two groups are identical except for one factor. b) The control group serves as the comparison. It is the same as the experiment group, except that the one variable that is being tested is removed. “No treatment” c) The experimental group shows the effect of the variable that is being tested. “treatment”

Control Group Ex. Because his grandmother always used 50 g. of sugar in her recipe, John is going to use that amount in his control group.

Constants All other factors are kept the same so that any observed changes in the experiment can be attributed to the independent variable.

Constants John’s teacher reminds him to keep all other factors the same so that any observed changes in the bread can be attributed to the variation in the amount of sugar. List 5 constants John will need:

Constants They might include: Other ingredients to the bread recipe, oven used, rise time, brand of ingredients, cooking time, type of pan used, air temperature and humidity where the bread was rising, oven temperature, age of the yeast…

Trials refer to replicate groups that are exposed to the same conditions in an experiment.

Trials refer to replicate groups that are exposed to the same conditions in an experiment. Ex. John is going to test each sugar variable 3 times.

Steps of the Scientific Method Collect and Analyze Results Modify the procedure if needed. Confirm the results by retesting. Include tables, graphs, and photographs.

Collect and Analyze Results Ex. John comes up with a table he can use to record his data. John gets all his materials together and carries out his experiment.

Size of Baked Bread (Lx. Wx. H) cm 3 Size of Bread Loaf (cm 3) Trials Amt. of Sugar (g. ) 1 2 3 Average Size (cm 3) 25 768 744 761 758 50 1296 1188 1296 1260 100 1188 1080 1116 250 672 576 588 612 500 432 504 360 432 Control group

Collect and Analyze Results John examines his data and notices that his control worked the best in this experiment, but not significantly better than 100 g. of sugar.

Steps of the Scientific Method Conclusion Include a statement that accepts or rejects the hypothesis. Make recommendations for further study and possible improvements to the procedure.

Conclusion Ex. John rejects his hypothesis, but decides to re-test using sugar amounts between 50 g. and 100 g.

Conclusion John finds that 70 g. of sugar produces the largest loaf. His hypothesis is accepted.

Steps of the Scientific Method Communicate the Results Be prepared to present the project to an audience. Expect questions from the audience.

Quick Peter Rabbit Act. Six bean plants are to be tested to see what happens if light is taken away. The all have the same type of container, the same amount of soil, and they will receive the same amount of water. Three will be placed in a sunlit window and 3 will be placed in a dark closet for 2 weeks.

Vocab Test Next Tuesday Independent Variable- manipulated variable, is a factor that’s changed on purpose. Dependent Variable- responding variable, is the factor that may change because of the changes made Constants- All other factors are kept the same so that any observed changes in the experiment can be attributed to the independent variable Control group- group serves as the comparison. “No treatment” Experimental Group- group shows the effect of the variable that is being tested. “treatment”