Scientific Method

A process for understanding

nature and its changes in a
systematic format.
There are actually many scientific
methods, depending on the
nature of the specific problem
under study and on the particular
investigator involved.
Scientific Method
1. OBSERVE. Make observations on some aspect of the
universe.
2. HYPOTHESIZE. Make an If then statement" to explain
the observations.
3. PREDICT. Use the hypothesis to predict other aspects of
the nature of the universe.
4. TEST. Test the predictions by experiments and/or further
observations.
5. MODIFY. If the predictions are not supported, use the
experimental results and/or new observations to modify the
hypothesis and then repeat steps 3 and 4.
6. THEORIZE. When all the predictions are supported by the
experiments and/or new observations the hypothesis
becomes a theory. A theory is a conceptual framework that
explains existing observations and predicts new ones.
.

Scientific Method
Step 1Making observations
Qualitative (descriptive)
Quantitative
(numerical/measurement)

Scientific Method
Step 2-Formulating a hypothesis
(making a prediction)
A hypothesis is a possible
explanation for an observation.
A hypothesis is always testable.
A hypothesis is NOT a feeling or
opinion!
Testable Hypotheses
Which of the following hypotheses
could be tested?
Ty Cobb was a better hitter than Pete
Rose
Ivory soap is 99.7% pure.
Rolaids consumes 47 times its weight in
excess stomach acid.
The baby is happy because he cries three
times a day.
Scientific Method
Step 3-Performing experiments (testing
the hypothesis)
An experiment is a planned way to test a
hypothesis
An independent variable is changed to
determine how it will affect the dependent
variable.
A variable that does not change is a
constant.
A control is the standard to which test
results can be compared.

Variables
A variable is something that can
vary or change in a situation. A
statement can have one, two,
three or more variables.
Identify the Variable
Ex. The time it takes to run a
kilometer depends on the amount
of practice a person does.
How many variables are in the
ex.? And what are the variables?
Identify the variable
Variable: Time to run a kilometer
Variable: Amount of practice
Independent/Manipulated Variable
If a variable is deliberately
changed in a situation by the
experimenter, it is a independent
variable.
Example
EX: The amount of pollution
produced by cars was measured
for cars using gasoline containing
different amounts of lead.
What is the independent var.?
Independent variable: the
amount of lead in the gasoline
Dependent Variable
The dependent variable is the
factor that is caused to change by
variation in an independent
variable.
Example
Basketball players are seen to be
much taller than average.
Dependent Variable
The ability to play basketball and
be on the team often DEPENDS
on being tall.
! Being tall DOES NOT DEPEND
on playing basketball!
Experimental
design
1. Problem?
2. Hypothesis?
3. Independent
Variable?
4. Constants &
Controls?
5. Dependent
Variable?
Does root
hormone
affect the
growth of
plant seeds?
If root
hormone is
applied to
seeds in the
proper
amount, then
the seeds will
grow roots
faster.
Root hormone
is the
independent
variable.
The pots, soil,
water, light,
temperature, and
seeds are
constant between
all groups. The
control receives
no hormone.
The
dependent
variable is
the growth
of roots on
the seeds.