The Scientific Method Presentation PDF

Why do we use the scientific method? Why use the Scientific Method ? • A clear order of steps like a recipe that scientists use to come to figure things out about the world around them. • Helps to organize thoughts and procedures so that scientists can be confident in the answers they find. • Way...

Why do we use the scientific method? Why use the Scientific Method ? • A clear order of steps like a recipe that scientists use to come to figure things out about the world around them. • Helps to organize thoughts and procedures so that scientists can be confident in the answers they find. • Way to communicate results effectively Steps of the Scientific Method : 1. Problem: Observe and Question 2. Research 3. Hypothesis 4. Experiment 5. Analysis 6. Draw Conclusions 7. Communicate / Present Findings Problem: Observe & Question Information gathered through your senses. A scientist notices things in their natural world. Observe An example of an observation might be noticing that many salamanders near a pond have curled tails, not straight tails. Question?????? Problem you are trying to solve – This comes from your observations of the natural world. Question Good Question: Why do the salamanders around here have curly tails rather than straight tails? Not So Good Question: I wonder if salamanders like McDonalds? Research Research as much as you can about the topic By conducting background research, researchers can identify similar experiments that have been done in the past, understand the existing theories and concepts related to the topic, and identify any potential issues or limitations that may arise during the experiment. Hypothesis A suggested solution to the problem. 1. Must be testable with measurable results 1. Sometimes written as If…Then… statements 1. Predicts an outcome Hypothesis An example of a hypothesis might be that the salamanders have curved tails when in a moist wetland environment, but loses the curvature of the tail when in a dry environment. Experiment A procedure to test your hypothesis In the case of our salamander what experiment could we perform to test our hypothesis? Experiment Variable Variables are any factors that can be changed or controlled in order to study their effect on the outcome of the experiment. 1. Control variable 2. Independent variable 3. Dependent variable Why is it important to test only one variable at a time? It is important to test only one variable at a time because it allows researchers to isolate the effects of that particular variable on the outcome of the experiment. If multiple variables are changed at once, it becomes difficult to determine which variable is responsible for the observed results. Scientific Experiments Follow Rules An experimenter changes one factor and observes or measures what happens. 1. Control Variable The experimenter makes a special effort to keep certain factors constant so that they will not affect the outcome. Those factors are called control variables. Controls are not being tested Controls are used for comparison. Example: keeping temperature constant 2. Independent Variable The factor that is changed is known as the independent variable. 3. Dependent Variable The factor that is measured or observed is called the dependent variable. Experiment: Does the type of fertilizer affect plant growth? Control variable: Amount of fertilizer applied, amount of water provided, type of plant used, temperature and light conditions. Independent variable: Type of fertilizer (e.g. organic fertilizer, chemical fertilizer). Dependent variable: Plant growth (e.g. height, number of leaves). You Decide! Suppose you want to figure out the fastest route to walk home from school. You will try several different routes and time how long it takes you to get home by each one. Since you are only interested in finding a route that is fastest for you, you will do the walking yourself. control variable? independent variable? dependent variable? You Decide! Suppose you want to figure out the fastest route to walk home from school. You will try several different routes and time how long it takes you to get home by each one. Since you are only interested in finding a route that is fastest for you, you will do the walking yourself. control variable? you, the walker independent variable? the various routes you walk dependent variable? time it takes between routes One more thing… it is best to make several trials with each independent variable. Analysis To “analyze” the data means to “make sense” of the data. Data is the information collected during the experiment. Data should be organized in the form of a chart table graph paper Draw Conclusions The answer to the hypothesis based on the data obtained from the experiment. Explains how experiment can be applied to real life. Route C would be the shortest and quickest route. Communicate / Report Results • Every experiment adds to the world’s scientific knowledge. • Communicating your results in the form of a report or presentation gives other scientists a chance to review your work and build on it.