USING A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH SCIENTIFIC METHODS The scientific

USING A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH

SCIENTIFIC METHODS • The scientific method is an organized plan for gathering, organizing, and communicating information. • The goal of any scientific method is to solve a problem or to better understand an observed event. • Scientific investigations often begin with an observation.

OUR LABORATORY FORMAT I. Purpose II. Hypothesis III. Procedure IV. Data and Observations V. Analysis VI. Conclusion VII. Follow-up

PURPOSE • The purpose can be: • The reason for doing an experiment. • A statement describing what the scientist is trying to learn more about. • A question that a scientist is trying to answer.

HYPOTHESIS • The hypothesis is a proposed answer to a question or your best educated guess. • It is usually stated in an “If…, then…” format. • For Example: • If the heat of chili sauce is related to number of chili peppers, then the more chili peppers the hotter the chili.

PROCEDURE • The procedure is set of steps to follow to conduct the actual experiment. • Steps should be written in numbered sequence and be very precise. • Anyone should be able to read your procedures and perform the same experiment you are running.

DATA AND OBSERVATIONS • Data is a collection of facts/observations/measurements/etc… produced by an experiment. • Observations are details/descriptions measured by our senses and tools. • These are most often given in a data table.

FORMAT OF A DATA TABLE • Always use rulers for straight lines!!! • Table 1. Effect of size of beaker on burn Sizetime of Time (Sec. Beaker (ml) • Tables should be numbered and titled. )

TWO TYPES OF OBSERVATIONS • Quantitative: Observations that involve number values. • The cube is 3 meters in length • Qualitative: Observations that DO NOT involve number values. • The cube is black

ANALYSIS • Here you will analyze the data you have collected. • There will usually be a set of questions you answer that relate to your experiment. • This is also where your data may be translated into a graph.

CONCLUSION • This section is written in paragraph form. • A conclusion needs to refer back to the purpose and answer the original question. • The conclusion should also state if the hypothesis was correct and provide data to explain why or why not. • Personal pronouns should NOT be used in the conclusion.

GENERAL FORMAT FOR A CONCLUSION • Restate the purpose question • Restate the hypothesis • State whether or not the hypothesis is supported by the data you collected. • Explain the analysis of data and important information gathered in the experiment. • End with a summative statement.

FOLLOW-UP • The follow up is where you discuss any experimental errors (errors in the experiment, not human errors) • For example: problems with materials or errors in the procedure. • Also, anything that could be done differently next time or another experiment to perform.

NECESSARY COMPONENTS OF AN EXPERIMENT • A controlled experiment is an experiment in which only one variable, the manipulated variable, is deliberately changed at a time. • A variable is any factor that can be changed in an experiment.

IMPORTANT VARIABLES • Manipulated variable the variable that causes a change in another variable. Also known as the independent variable. • Responding variable a variable that changes in response to a change in the manipulated variable. Also known as the dependent variable. • Controlled variable Factor(s) in an experiment left unchanged. The purpose is to keep the experiment controlled.

IMPORTANT GROUPS • Experimental Group: The group or subject on which the experimental variable is tested. • Control Group: The group or subject that serves as a comparison to the experimental group.