Transcript scientific method ppt

Scientific
Method
Information
• Vocabulary will be in Green. (these
go in your notes!)
• Information for your notes is in
Orange.
What is the Scientific
Method?
• Scientific Method: a series of steps that
scientists use to answer questions and
solve a problem
• Steps (IGHEAD)
– IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM (by making
observations and asking questions)
– GATHER BACKGROUND INFORMATION
– HYPOTHESIS
– EXPERIMENT
– ANALYZE RESULTS
– DRAW CONCLUSION AND COMMUNICATE
RESULTS
Observations
• Observation: any use of the senses
to gather information
– Two types:
• Qualitative
• Quantitative
Question
• Questions help you narrow and focus
investigation and identify what you
are trying to find out.
• There are 3 ways to ask a question:
– What factors cause…
– What is the relationship between…
– What is the effect of…
GATHER BACKGROUND
INF0
• SEE WHAT PEOPLE ALREADY
KNOW
• USE THIS INFORMATION TO
MAKE THE BEST HYPOTHESIS
Forming a Hypothesis
• Hypothesis: possible explanation or
answer to a question; MUST BE
TESTABLE
• If/then…because statements
– The “IF” part is doing what
– The “THEN” part is what will happen
– The “because” explains why
– Ex: “If study time is increased by 10
minutes every night, then grades will
improve because there is more
practice”
EXPERIMENTING
• To test a hypothesis is to conduct a
controlled experiment
• Controlled experiment: there is a
control group and an experimental
group
• Variable: one factor that is different
in the experimental group
• Data: any pieces of information
acquired through experimentation
Analyze Results
• In order to understand data collected
it must be analyze to determine if it
supports the hypothesis.
Draw Conclusion
• Three types of conclusions
– Supports the hypothesis
– Does not support the hypothesis
– Need more information
• Regardless of the out come you
must explain
• Communicate Results
– Writing them up in a science journal
– Submitting them to a respected online
magazine
– NEVER by word of mouth (telling
people)
Scientific Method
Overview
• You can always start over from any
step in the scientific method!
• http://my.hrw.com/sh2/sh07_10/stud
ent/flash/visual_concepts/80002.htm
Scientific Theories/Laws
• Theory – is a unifying explanation for
a broad range of hypotheses and
observations that have been
supported by testing
• Law – is a summary of many
experimental results and
observations