The Scientific Method

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The Scientific Method
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Steps to using the scientific method
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1. Ask a question

• What creates the tides in the ocean?
• Why does fresh water freeze at a higher
  temperature than salt water?
• Why do we get goose bumps when were cold?

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Observation Inference
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Observations

• Any information collected with the senses.
• The skill of describing scientific events.

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Inference

• Conclusions or deductions based on observations .
• The process of drawing a conclusion from given
  evidence.

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Tracks like these are common in parts of New
England and in the southwestern United States.
What do you OBSERVE? What can you INFER?
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Now what do you think?
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Infer what happened based on your observations.
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Inferences
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2. Research and form a hypothesis

• What creates the tides in the ocean?
• Why does fresh water freeze at a higher
  temperature than salt water?
• Why do we get goose bumps when were cold?

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3. Test hypothesis with an experiment

• It is important for your experiment to be a fair
  test. You conduct a fair test by making sure that
  you change only one factor at a time while
  keeping all other conditions the same.

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4. Analyze and Draw Conclusion

• Was your hypothesis true???
• If yes, state the results.
• If no, try again Come up with another
  hypothesis, and start over.

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Identifying Variables Designing Experiments
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• 3 Types of Variables
• Independent Variable
• Dependent Variable
• Controlled aka Constant

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Independent VariableSomething that is changed
by the scientist.(What is being tested)(What
is manipulated)
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Dependent VariableSomething that may or may not
be affected by the change in the independent
variable.(what is observed)(what is
measured)The data collected during the
investigation
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Control or ConstantAnything in the experiment
that is kept the same.(allows for a fair test)
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Designing Investigations
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• The greater the amount of soap in a soap and
  water mixture, the bigger a soap bubble can be
  blown.
• Design an investigation to test this hypothesis.
• Identify the variables
• What exactly will be changed? How will it be
  changed?
• What exactly will be measured? How will it be
  measured?

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• The farther a ball drops, the higher it will
  bounce.
• Design an investigation to test this hypothesis.
• Identify the variables
• What exactly will be changed? How will it be
  changed?
• What exactly will be measured? How will it be
  measured?