ppt scientific method no variables
DESCRIPTION
scientific methodTRANSCRIPT
So… How Do We Study
Science?
We use the Scientific
Method!!!
What is the Scientific Method?
• A logical, problem solving technique
• A Step-by-step way in which scientists answer questions.
Steps of the Scientific Method1. Observation 2. Ask a
Question3. Background
research
5. Design and conduct an experiment
6. Collect data
7. Analyze and Graph Data
8. Draw Conclusions
4. Formulate a hypothesis
STEP 1: Observation
• You observe something in the material world, using your senses or machines which are basically extensions of those senses.
AH—Look at this!
STEP 2: Ask a Question• The problem identifies what you want to find out.
State the problem in the form of a question:
• Examples: Ex. Do bean seeds grow faster when fed compost or fertilizer? How does __________ affect _______? What is the effect of _______ on ________? Why” and “What would happen if..” are also good beginnings of scientific questions.
• They must be testable: For example: Are Canaries prettier than blue
birds? Not testable
STEP 3: Background research
Scientists never start from scratch in putting together a plan for answering a question. You should use library and Internet research to help you find the best way to do things and insure that you don't repeat mistakes from the past.• Background research is necessary so that you know how to design
and understand your experiment and how to write a hypothesis. • Use a table with the "question words" (why, how, who, what, when,
where) to generate research questions from your keywords. For example:When does a plant grow the most, with fertilizer or compost?What plants are most suitable for my experiment?How many plants must I use?
• Plan to do background research on the history of similar experiments or inventions.
• Ask other people with more experience than yourself: your parents and teachers.
STEP 4: Formulate a Hypothesis
• A hypothesis is NOT just an educated guess about what you think will happen. It must be TESTABLE!!!!a) Answers the observation and predicts an
outcome of the experiment.b) “If… then… because” Statementc) If…..independent variable, then ….dependent variable
Ex. If given compost, then bean plants will grow faster than those given fertilizer
STEP 5: Design and conduct an experiment
• Experiment: a procedure to test the hypothesis• How are you going to test your hypothesis?• You Design an Experiment!• It must include: materials and a step by step
instructions• Must be run multiple times
STEP 6: Collect Data• Write all measurements and results of the
experiment. They may be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative
• Be consistent when you are checking your experiments and recording the results
• Use a table to organize your data in a chart with a title.– List your independent variable on the left side– Record your dependent variables on the right
side• If you have more than one dependent variable, use a
new column for each dependent variable
Example:
Step 7: Analyze and Graph data
• Make the data table into a graph• Graphs make it easier to see patterns in
the data. Graphs
X-axis independent variableY-axis dependent variable
Line graphLine Graph a. Used to show changes in dependent variable
(plant growth) over time.b. Must have title, x-axis title (with units) and y-
axis title (with units)c. Compare and look for trends and patterns using
graphs example
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
Growth of Plant A Over Time
Time (Days)
Pla
nt H
eigh
t (c
m)
Bar graphBar Graph a. Use it when a set of measurements can be split
into discrete and comparable groupsb. To show the relative change between these
groups.c. Must have titles and legend
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1
2
3
4
5
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Average Plant Growth over 50 Days
Plant A (Control)
Plant B (Fer-tilizer Added)
Plant C (Compost Added)
Plant A Plant B Plant C
Ave
rage G
row
th in
Centim
ete
rs
Pie chartPie Grapha. When showing parts of a whole..i.e.
percentagesb. Must have a title and a legend
• Indicate the results. Explain why those results where given.
• Answer:– Do your results/data support your hypothesis? Why or
why not? – What are ways you can improve your data? – What would you do differently if you were to repeat the
experiment?
Step 8: Draw conclusions
Step 8: Draw conclusionsClaima. Restate your hypothesisb. Ex. If given compost, then bean plants will grow taller than those given
fertilizer. Evidencec. Accept or reject your hypothesisd. Use the numbers from your chart and graph to explain why.e. Ex. Plant C which was given only compost grew to a maximum height of 5
cm, Plant B which was given fertilizer grew to a maximum height of 4cm and Plant A which was given nothing at all grew to a maximum height of 3cm. Therefore, the hypothesis is accepted.
Reasoningf. Scientifically explain WHY what happened occurred.g. Ex. Fertilizer contains only trace elements such as phosphorous,
nitrogen and sulphur while compost contains decaying matter which can provide many complex organic nutrients for a bean plant. Therefore, the plant treated with compost grows taller.
• A lab report MUST be written after every investigation.
• A lab report contains the following parts: 1. Title 2. Introduction 3. Materials 4. Procedure 5. Results 6. Conclusions
Comunicate Results: Lab Report