The scientific method is a process for asking and answering scientific questions through experiments. It involves: 1) Asking a question and making an educated hypothesis about what the answer may be. The hypothesis predicts the relationship between variables in an experiment. 2) Designing and conducting an experiment that tests the hypothesis by manipulating one variable and observing the effects. Data is collected and recorded methodically. 3) Analyzing the experimental data, including calculating averages and graphing results, to determine whether the data supports or rejects the original hypothesis.

1. Scientific Method
A blueprint for
experiment success.

2. What is the scientific method?
It is a simple method scientists use to
conduct an investigation.
 It is a way to ask & answer scientific
questions by asking questions &
conducting experiments.


3. I. Question/Problem

Ask a question about something
observed.
– Why?
– How?
– What?
Question to be solved.
 Must be about something measurable.


4. II. Hypothesis
Educated guess about how things work.
 Prediction
 Use If, then statements

– If ____ [I do this], then _____ [this will happen]

Focus on one variable only.

5. III. Experiment
 Tests your hypothesis.
 Is it accepted (right) or rejected (wrong) ?
Change only one variable at a time.
 Use a control or control group (A group

that has nothing done to it. Standard used for
comparison in an experiment.)

In order for results to be valid, conduct
several tests.

6. III. Experiment

Record your data in a data table.
– Numerical (quantitative) data organized in rows
and columns
– The specific independent variables are listed
– •The number of trials are listed
– Blanks are left for the data (dependent variable) to
be filled in

7. III. Experiment
Title: Describing the Data
Trial
1
2
3
4
5
AVERAGE
Variable 1
Variable 2
Variable 3

8. IV. Data Analysis

Reduce the data
– Average (Mean)

Graph
– Graph the data to look for trends &
relationships.

9. V. Conclusion

Summary of your experiment.
 After your experiment, analyze your data to
see if your hypothesis was accepted or
rejected.
 If hypothesis is rejected, give possible
reasons for the difference between your
hypothesis and the experimental
results.