The document outlines the key steps of the scientific method, which are: 1) identifying a problem or question, 2) researching existing knowledge, 3) forming a hypothesis, 4) testing the hypothesis through experimentation, 5) recording and studying the data, 6) forming a conclusion, and 7) communicating the results. It also defines key terms used in the scientific method, such as hypothesis, variables, control, and constant.

1. Scientific MethodScientific Method

2. Scientific MethodScientific Method
•Steps used to gather
information and solve
problems

3. Scientific MethodScientific Method
1. Identify a problem or
question that could be
tested
2. Research to find out what
is already known

4. Scientific MethodScientific Method
3. Form a
hypothesis

5. Scientific MethodScientific Method
4. Test the hypothesis
(experiment)

6. Scientific MethodScientific Method
5. Record and study the data
6. Form a conclusion

7. Scientific MethodScientific Method
7. Communicate the results

8. Key TermsKey Terms
• Hypothesis- testable
question
• Usually an “if” “then”
statement
• Example:

9. Key TermsKey Terms
• Problem – to reduce the number of
students arriving late to class
• If there is a warning bell 30 sec.
before each class, then
• more students will arrive on time

10. Key TermsKey Terms
• Control- the group or subject
that has all normal or standard
conditions
• Control group is necessary to
compare the experimental
groups to

11. Key TermsKey Terms
• Variable- a condition that could be
different
• Independent Variable- the only
condition that is changed for the
experiment
• The variable that “I” change as
the experimenter

12. Key TermsKey Terms
• An experiment should have
only one independent
variable
• Example:

13. Key TermsKey Terms
• Mrs. C. wanted to test the effect
of different food coloring in food
chosen by students
• She prepared mashed potato
servings exactly the same except
for the color

14. Key TermsKey Terms
• The dependent variable is
the condition that might
change as a result of the
independent variable
• Example:

15. Key TermsKey Terms
• Mrs. C. wanted to test the effect
of different food coloring in food
chosen by students
• The dependent variable that she
could observe is which potatoes
the students chose

16. Key TermsKey Terms
•Constant- condition(s)
that is/are the same for
trials