Earth Science

Earth Science

C I E N C E

Systematic Comprehensive Investigation Exploration Natures Causes Effects

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What is Scientific Method?

Earth Science

What is Scientific Method?

The Scientific Method is a logical and rational order of steps by which scientists come to conclusions about the world around them.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

Identify the Problem Gather Data regarding the Problem Formulate Hypothesis Test the Hypothesis Analyze and Interpret Results Make a Conclusion

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Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Identify the Problem The problem should be clear, specific, measurable, and attainable. This is usually started as a question.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Identify the Problem Observation State the Problem

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Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Identify the Problem
Does the amount of sunlight a tomato plant receives affect the size of the tomatoes?"

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Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Identify the Problem
Does the size of opening of the faucet affects the amount of water flowing through it?

Earth Science

Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Identify the Problem
What is the difference between a series and parallel circuit? When does a plant grow the most, during the day or night? Where is the focal point of a lens? How does a java applet work? Does a truss make a bridge stronger? Why are moths attracted to light? Which cleaning products kill the most bacteria?

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Steps of the Scientific Method

2. Gather Data regarding the Problem
This step could also be called research. It is the first stage in understanding the problem you have chosen. You will need to research everything that you can find about the problem.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

2. Gather Data regarding the Problem
You can collect information on your problem from your own experiences, books, the internet, or even smaller "unofficial" experiments.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

2. Gather Data regarding the Problem

"A year in the lab can save you a day in the library."

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Steps of the Scientific Method

2. Gather Data regarding the Problem
Start also gathering data about the problem like (in our case) the measurements of the tomatoes, the time the tomatoes are exposed to sunlight and others.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

3. Formulate Hypothesis
The next stage of the Scientific Method is known as the "hypothesis." This word basically means "a possible solution to a problem, based on knowledge and research."

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Steps of the Scientific Method

3. Formulate Hypothesis
Using the example of the tomato experiment, here is an example of a hypothesis: PROBLEM: "Does the amount of sunlight a tomato plant receives affect the size of the tomatoes?"

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Steps of the Scientific Method

3. Formulate Hypothesis
Using the example of the tomato experiment, here is an example of a hypothesis: HYPOTHESIS: "I believe that the more sunlight a tomato plant receives, the larger the tomatoes will grow.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

3. Formulate Hypothesis
This hypothesis is based on: (1) Tomato plants need sunshine to make food through photosynthesis, and logically, more sun means more food, and;

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Steps of the Scientific Method

3. Formulate Hypothesis
This hypothesis is based on: (2) Through informal, exploratory observations of plants in a garden, those with more sunlight appear to grow bigger.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

3. Formulate Hypothesis
Using the example of the faucet experiment, here is an example of a hypothesis: HYPOTHESIS: "If I open the faucet, then it will increase the flow of water.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

4. Test the Hypothesis
This is the part of the scientific method that tests your hypothesis. An experiment is a tool that you design to find out if your ideas about your problem are right or wrong.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

4. Test the Hypothesis
An experiment is a methodical procedure carried out with the goal of verifying, falsifying or establishing the validity of a hypothesis.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

4. Test the Hypothesis
Scientists use an experiment to search for cause and effect relationships in nature. In other words, they design an experiment so that changes to one item cause something else to vary in a predictable way.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

4. Test the Hypothesis
These changing quantities are called variables. A variable is any factor, trait, or condition that can exist in differing amounts or types. An experiment usually has three kinds of variables: independent, dependent, and controlled.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

4. Test the Hypothesis
The independent variable is the one that is changed by the scientist. To insure a fair test, a good experiment has only one independent variable.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

4. Test the Hypothesis
The scientist focuses his or her observations on the dependent variable to see how it responds to the change made to the independent variable. The new value of the dependent variable is caused by and depends on the value of the independent variable.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

4. Test the Hypothesis
For example, if you open a faucet (the independent variable), the quantity of water flowing (dependent variable) changes in response -- you observe that the water flow increases.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

4. Test the Hypothesis
Experiments also have controlled variables. Controlled variables are quantities that a scientist wants to remain constant, and he must observe them as carefully as the dependent variables.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

4. Test the Hypothesis
For example, if we want to measure how much water flow increases when we open a faucet, it is important to make sure that the water pressure (the controlled variable) is held constant.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

5. Analyze and Interpret Results
Independent Dependent Variables Variable (What I observe) (What I change) "Does the amount Amount of sunlight Size of tomatoes (cm or m) of sunlight a tomato the tomato receives plant receives affect the size of the tomatoes?" Question

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Steps of the Scientific Method

5. Analyze and Interpret Results
Question Independent Variable (What I change) Water faucet opening (closed, half open, fully open) Dependent Variables (What I observe)
Amount of water flowing measured in liters per minute

How much water flows through a faucet at different openings?

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Steps of the Scientific Method

6. Make a Conclusion
The final step in the scientific method is the conclusion. This is a summary of the experiment's results, and how those results match up to your hypothesis.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

6. Make a Conclusion
You have two options for your conclusions: based on your results, either

(1) you CAN REJECT the hypothesis, or (2) you CAN NOT REJECT the hypothesis.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

6. Make a Conclusion
The amount of sunlight a tomato plant receives affect the size of the tomatoes. or The amount of sunlight a tomato plant receives does not affect the size of the tomatoes

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Steps of the Scientific Method

6. Make a Conclusion
The size of opening of the faucet affects the amount of water flowing through the faucet or The size of opening of the faucet does not affects the amount of water flowing through the faucet

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Steps of the Scientific Method

6. Make a Conclusion
This is an important point. You can not PROVE the hypothesis with a single experiment, because there is a chance that you made an error somewhere along the way.