The Scientific Method
Date: ______________________
Science process that uses observations & tests to identify events in nature
Scientific method an investigation technique based on observations of the natural world to
experiment and collect data on phenomena that happen in this world.
What is the goal of the scientific method? To solve a problem or to better understand an observed
event
1. Problem/Question
- A good question:
- Is NOT subjective (dependent on feeling/opinion)
- can be measured or observed
Can you think of an example of a good and a bad question?
Examples:
A GOOD QUESTION IS measurable!
What can you test or experiment? What do you want to learn? An example would be, "What
object in the school has the most germs?" or "Does the color of a light bulb effect the growth of
grass seeds?" or "What effect does direct sunlight have on plant growth?"
An opinion is NOT a good question
"Which makes a better pet, cats or dogs?"
"Is my dad the best dad ever?"
"Are aliens cooler than humans?
2. Observation/Data Collection
- Find out as much as you can. Look for information in books, on the Internet, and by talking
with other scientists to get the most information you can before you start experimenting.
Observations 2 kinds
1. Qualitative Observations: Based on your five senses. What you see, feel, smell, hear
2. Quantitative observations: are made with instruments such as rulers, balances,
graduated cylinders, thermometers and produce measurable results.
Give 3 examples of each:
Qualitative:
1.
2.
3.
Quantitative:
1.
2.
3.
3. Hypothesize
- Using evidence from your research and observations, propose a solution to your question. Try
to predict the answer to the problem. This is usually an if-then statement because it will have a
cause and effect. When you hypothesize, try to use the formula if, then, because
Example: If I grow grass seeds under green light bulbs, then they will grow faster than
plants growing under red light bulbs because plants photosynthesize more effectively under
green light."
Three parts of the hypothesis:
Independent Variable:
- Also called the manipulated variable. This is the part of your experiment that
you will test (vary or change) to answer your hypothesis. In the example earlier, the
independent variable would be the different colors of the light bulbs. Ask yourself what
do I change?
Dependent Variable:
- Also called the responding variable. This is what occurs in response to the
changing independent variable. In our example the dependent variable is how much the
grass seeds grow. Ask yourself what do I observe?
Control:
- This should be the part of the experiment where you do NOT include the
Independent Variable. In our example, grass seed that is growing under the white (uncolored)
bulb would be your control. The control lets you compare your results in the experiment. Ask
yourself: what do I keep the same?
4. Experiment
- The fun part! Design a test or procedure to find out if your hypothesis is correct. In our
example, you would set up grass seeds under a green light bulb and seeds under a red light and
observe each for a couple of weeks. You would also set up grass seeds under regular white light
so that you can compare it with the others. As scientists, we should always write our experiments
with as much detail as possible and step-by-step.
5. Analysis
- Record what happened during the experiment. Also known as 'data'.
This can be represented in various ways such as a graph or a table.
- After initial analysis, replicate your experiment. Why might we do this?
6. Conclusion
- Review the data and check to see if your hypothesis was correct. If the grass under the
green light bulb grew faster, then you proved your hypothesis, if not, your hypothesis was
incorrect. It is not "bad" if your hypothesis was wrong, because you still discovered something!
Once your hypothesis has been supported through multiple experiments, develop a theory.
Theory a set of suggested ideas or an explanation for an event
Scientific law statement of fact; a basic scientific theory that is no longer tested & is generally
accepted as true (example: Newtons Laws of Motion & Gravity)
