Scientific Method

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Scientific Method

• A way to understand CAUSE AND EFFECT in the
  natural world

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Scientific Method
Step 1 OBSERVE
Step 2 ASK A QUESTION
Step 3 RESEARCH
Step 4 MAKE A HYPOTHESIS
Step 5 TEST HYPOTHESIS
Step 6 CONCLUSION
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Scientific Method Step 1 - Observation

• Based on your 5 SENSES
• Seeing
• Hearing
• Smelling
• Touching
• Tasting

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Scientific Method Step 2 -Ask a Question

• Question must be testable using a simple,
  direct experiment

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Scientific Method Step 3 Research

• Look up everything that is already known. Read
  papers published in journals/books /scientific
  literature

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Scientific Method Step 4 Hypothesis
Educated Guess

• If dependent variable - is related to independent
  variable,
• Then - predict how dependent variable will
  respond
• When - independent variable is changed by you
• If-then-when statement

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Scientific Method Step 4 Hypothesis
Educated Guess

• Background Red Bull ads claim to increase
  concentration
• Ques Can Drinking Red Bull before a test improve
  performance ?
• Identify variables (anything that changes)
• Number of red bull drinks and performance on test
• Independent variable and dependent variable

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Scientific Method Step 4 Hypothesis
Educated Guess

• -If performance on test is related to consumption
  of red bull energy drink,
• -Then average test score of students in AP
  Biology class will increase
• -When red bull drink is consumed 15 minutes
  before the test
• - If-then-when hypothesis statement

• If dependent variable - is related to independent
  variable,
• Then - predict how dependent variable will
  respond
• When - independent variable is changed by you

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Scientific Method Step 5a Planning the
Experiment

• Experimental Design
• A. Variables (3 types)
• B. Control Group/Setup
• C. Experimental Group/Setup

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Scientific Method Step 5a Planning the
Experiment

• Experimental Design
• A.Variables anything that can change in an
  experiment
• Independent Variable anything that you
  change/manipulate in an experiment (number of
  red bull drinks)
• Dependent Variable anything that you measure as
  the response to the change you made (average
  test score)
• Controlled Variables anything that you would
  keep the same in all experimental setups
• such as time when drink was consumed, other types
  of stimulants the student has, test environment.

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Scientific Method Step 5a Planning the
Experiment

• Control group/setup does not have the
  independent variable

Group without red bull
Experimental setup has the independent variable
Group with red bull
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Scientific Method Step 5b Data Collection
Analysis
TABLES
GRAPHS
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Scientific Method Step 6 Conclusion
Did your results support hypothesis?

• why or why not?
• interpretation of your data
• did you run many trials?
• what was your sample size?
• sources of errors
• changes you would make

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