Transcript Scientific Method - Dr. Annette M. Parrott

Scientific Method (simplified)
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Problem
Observations
Hypothesis
Experiment
Data
Conclusion
Retest
Problem
A problem is a
question based
upon observations.
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Observations
Gather
information about
the problem.
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Hypothesis
A suggested
solution to the
problem/question.
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If…Then…
Experiment
A procedure to test the
hypothesis.
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Variable  factors that
can change
Control  experiment
without the variable
Variables
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Manipulating/ independent
variable variable that is
deliberately changed by scientist
Responding/ dependent
variable variable that is
observed and that changes in
response to the manipulated
variable
Controlled variables variables
that should remain the same in all
the experiments
Control Group
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The control group acts as a reference point or
measuring stick to compare with the variable
group. Any difference between the two
groups can only be due to the one
experimental factor that is being tested.
Sometimes the control group is blind. This
means that the members of the control group
do not realize that they are not even part of
the experimental group. This is when the
placebo is used. Many drugs are tested in this
fashion by pharmaceutical companies to
remove the "placebo effect".
Data
Results of the
experiment. Can
be:
• Quantitative
• Qualitative
Data Reporting
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Data can be
reported both in
narrative form
and through
diagrams, tables
and graphs.
Conclusion
The answer to the
hypothesis, once
it has been tested
is often called a
“theory”.
What’s the difference?
Retest
In order to verify
the results,
experiments must
be re-testable.
If they cannot be retested, then they
are outside the
realm of science.
For Example…
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What are some
things that
cannot be tested
by science?
Is science
theistic, or
a theistic?
Got it? Let’s see…
Let’s say I wanted to see what type of
fertilizer would make my tomato plants
produce the largest tomatoes.
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What
What
What
What
would
would
would
would
be
be
be
be
my
my
my
my
independent variable?
dependent variable?
controlled variables?
control experiment?
More Practice…
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1.An experiment was done to determine if the time
it takes to run a kilometer depends on the amount
of exercise a person gets.
2.An experiment was done to determine if the
higher the temperature of water, the faster an egg
will cook.
3.An investigation was done to see if keeping the
lights on for different amounts of time each day
affects the number of eggs chickens laid.
4. An experiment was done to determine if the
temperature of water in a lake varied at different
depths.
And more…
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6. An experiment was done to determine if the
amount of pollution produced by cars was affected
by the amount of lead in the gasoline those cars
used.
7. An experiment was done to determine if lemon
trees receiving the most water produce the largest
lemons.
8. Five groups of rats are fed identical diets except
for the amount of Vitamin A that they receive. Each
group gets a different amount of Vitamin A. After 3
weeks on the diet, the rats are massed (weighed) to
see if the amount of Vitamin A received has affected
their mass.
And more…
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12. Which fruit contains the most Vitamin C?
13. The amount of aspirin in over the
counter medications.
14. Do adults have a faster reaction time
while sitting or standing?
15. The effect of surface area on the altitude
of kites.
Now design your own…
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Design your own experiment.
Identify all the components of the
scientific method that we discussed.