The document outlines the key steps of the scientific method, including developing a question, forming a hypothesis, conducting an experiment through a procedure, analyzing data in tables and graphs, and drawing a conclusion. It provides examples of hypotheses and experimental procedures. The scientific method helps answer questions through a logical, evidence-based process that allows others to evaluate and build upon findings.

2.  Helps us to answer questions
 Gives logical steps
 Requires supporting evidence
 Others are able to repeat and critique your
experiment

3.  Problem/Purpose (ask a question)
 Research/Gather Information
 Construct a Hypothesis
 Test with an Experiment
 Analyze Data/Results
 Conclusion

4.  No it varies depending on the question being
asked but it generally follows the same
guidelines.

5.  Reason for doing the experiment
◦ Why is the sky blue
◦ Why do solid ice cubes float in water
◦ To determine if plants grow better in artificial light
or natural light
◦ To determine if studying will increase test scores

6.  Gather information about the topic through
your five senses and other sources
◦ The sky is blue but sometimes it’s gray
◦ Ice cubes are forms of solid water, they are cold
and at times very light
◦ Artificial light can come in a variety of intensities
60w 75w 100w etc.

7.  An educated prediction of the outcome
◦ The sky is blue because it reflects the ocean
◦ The sky is blue because martians color it with blue
crayons at night
 Opinionated statements are not testable
◦ Kevin Durant is the best BB player hands down!
 We will use the “If”, “Then” format
◦ If I study all week long, then my test grade will
improve.

8.  A well written hypothesis consists of an “if”
statement and a “then” statement.
 The “if” statement contains information on
what your are testing, and the “then”
statement reflects your beliefs of the
outcome of the experiment.

9.  “If we change the size of a hole in the bottom
of a funnel, then the funnel will sink at a
faster rate”
 “If caffeine is increased in someone’s body,
then their reaction time will be quicker”

10.  Steps developed to test your hypothesis
◦ Have two students of equal academic standing take
the same test
◦ Allow one student to study without allowing the
other student to study
◦ Compare the results

11.  A procedure is a list of steps that a scientist
takes to complete the experiment.
 This is a very detailed list that is numbered in
1,2,3..... order. It is not a paragraph! It may
include drawings.
 You know you have written a good procedure
when someone can read it and do the
experiment exactly like you did.

12.  1. Fill a clear, 4 liter bucket to 1 inch from the top
 2. Place funnel on the top of the water with the hole facing down
 3. Let funnel sink and record the time it takes to hit the bottom
 4. Record this time in a data table
 5. Take the funnel out of the water and place one, 3/4 inch
brass washer inside the funnel.
 6. Repeat steps 2 through 4.
 7. Repeat step 5 by adding two, 3/4 inch brass washers inside
the funnel.
 8. Repeat steps 2 through 4
 9. Repeat step 5 by adding three, 3/4 inch brass washers inside
the funnel.
 10. Using your data table, make a line graph representing the
sinking times of all three funnels.

13.  All measurements in an investigation need to
be recorded in a data table.
 The table must have a title (related to what
you are measuring), and appropriate labels
for the rows and columns.

14.  Examine information collected during your
experiment
 Restate data collected
 Student A received a 95% and a 90%
 Student B received a 72% and a 75%
Tests Taken Student A
Studying
Student B
w/o Studying
Trial 1 95% 72%
Trial 2 90% 75%

15.  In order to understand and interpret your
data, you need to make a graph.
 A graph lets you see trends in the data and it
also helps you look at the data in a way that
is easy to understand.
 Insure that all of your labels and increments
are correct!
 A graph must have a title, X and Y axis's
labeled (Independent and dependent)

16.  A handy way to remember what a graph
needs is through the acronym TAILS
 TITLE
 AXIS
 INTERVAL
 LABELS
 SCALE

17.  Statement of rather your hypothesis was
correct or incorrect based on your results
◦ My hypothesis was correct studying increases test
scores.
 Description of any errors/mistakes that
occurred
 Suggestions to improve your experiment
 Share information learned for other scientists

19.  Number your paper 1-10 and answer the
following questions in your notebooks
 Include only the number and the answer

20.  1. The first step in the scientific method is:
A. conducting an investigation
B. writing a testable question
C. writing a hypothesis
D. drawing conclusions

21.  2. Opinion questions are:
A. testable
B.not testable
C.scientific

22.  3. An educated guess about the outcome of the
investigation is called a:
A. guess
B.hippopotamus
C.hypothesis
D. hyperbole

23.  4. When writing a procedure, it should contain lots
of: A. words
B. paper
C. details

24.  5. You can remember what a graph needs by the
acronym________________

25.  6. A data table must also have a ________ at
the top and the ______ and ________ must be
labeled too.

26.  7. A ________ helps you look at data in a way
that is easy to understand. It shows trends.

27.  8. What does dependent variable mean?

28.  9. It is very important to place a _______ on
the top of your graph

29.  10. To make our experiment complete, we
must _______ our findings with other people.