Scientific Method

1. Scientific MethodScientific Method

2. Steps to Solving a ProblemSteps to Solving a Problem
(The Scientific Method)(The Scientific Method)
1.1. Identify the Problem-”Question” or “Problem”Identify the Problem-”Question” or “Problem”
• State the problem to be solved or the question to be answered.State the problem to be solved or the question to be answered.
1.1. Collect Information/Research – “Data”Collect Information/Research – “Data”
• Obtain facts and ideas from books, journals, internet, etc. that provide insightObtain facts and ideas from books, journals, internet, etc. that provide insight
regarding your problem/question. Cite these resources.regarding your problem/question. Cite these resources.
1.1. Form an opinion – “Hypothesis”Form an opinion – “Hypothesis”
• Based on the information/research you collect, propose a solution or “best guess”Based on the information/research you collect, propose a solution or “best guess”
that will help guide your experimentation and attempt to answer the proposedthat will help guide your experimentation and attempt to answer the proposed
problem/question.problem/question.
1.1. Test Your Hypothesis – “Test Your Hypothesis – “Experiment”Experiment”
• Describe, design, and conduct an experiment that will give you information or dataDescribe, design, and conduct an experiment that will give you information or data
that supports (or not) your hypothesis.that supports (or not) your hypothesis.
1.1. Accept or Reject Your Hypothesis – “Accept or Reject Your Hypothesis – “Analysis”Analysis”
• Determine whether your data/results from the experiment supports (or not) yourDetermine whether your data/results from the experiment supports (or not) your
hypothesis; if not, it may be necessary to review your information/research andhypothesis; if not, it may be necessary to review your information/research and
revise your hypothesis.revise your hypothesis.
1.1. Report Your Results – “Report Your Results – “Conclusion”Conclusion”
1.1. Formulate a conclusion that answers the original question from step one and shareFormulate a conclusion that answers the original question from step one and share
the results with the scientific community (or the community at large).the results with the scientific community (or the community at large).

3. ObservationsObservations
datadata that are descriptions of qualities suchthat are descriptions of qualities such
as shape, color, taste, feel, etc…as shape, color, taste, feel, etc…
acquired by using your sensesacquired by using your senses
two types:two types:
1.1. Objective observationObjective observation
2.2. Subjective observationSubjective observation

4. 2 Types of2 Types of
ObservationsObservations
ObjectiveObjective
anan observationobservation based onbased on
factfact
**factfact – a piece of– a piece of
information thatinformation that
can be strictlycan be strictly
defined and proveddefined and proved
true.true.
SubjectiveSubjective
anan observationobservation based onbased on
opinionopinion
**opinionopinion – a statement– a statement
that expresses a belief,that expresses a belief,
value, or feelingvalue, or feeling

5. Objective or Subjective?Objective or Subjective?
Science looks like fun today!Science looks like fun today!
SubjectiveSubjective
Kanye West’s songs sound good!Kanye West’s songs sound good!
SubjectiveSubjective
The table tops in class are white!The table tops in class are white!
ObjectiveObjective
Chow hall French fries taste good!Chow hall French fries taste good!
SubjectiveSubjective
The summer is too short!The summer is too short!
SubjectiveSubjective
There are sixty seconds in a minute!There are sixty seconds in a minute!
ObjectiveObjective

6. Objective orObjective or
Subjective?Subjective?
Which type ofWhich type of observationsobservations should be used inshould be used in
science?science?
ObjectiveObjective observationsobservations should beshould be
used in science because they areused in science because they are
based on facts and the basis ofbased on facts and the basis of
science is to identify the facts!science is to identify the facts!

7. InferenceInference
an explanation that tries to make sense of youran explanation that tries to make sense of your observationsobservations
influenced by your experiences/prior knowledgeinfluenced by your experiences/prior knowledge
these explanations may not be truethese explanations may not be true
ExampleExample
ObservationObservation::
John was breathing heavily as he walked into the classroom.John was breathing heavily as he walked into the classroom.
PossiblePossible InferencesInferences::
He ran to class because he was going to be lateHe ran to class because he was going to be late
He just played basketball in gymHe just played basketball in gym
AKA: An
Educated
guess

8. What would youWhat would you
infer?infer?
1.1. Everyone is closing their book because…Everyone is closing their book because…
2.2. Many students buy French fries because…Many students buy French fries because…
3.3. Students arrived to class sweatyStudents arrived to class sweaty
because…because…
4. All of the students are laughing4. All of the students are laughing
because…because…

9. HypothesisHypothesis
a working explanation or trial answer to a problema working explanation or trial answer to a problem
anan “educated guess”“educated guess”
can be written in the form of ancan be written in the form of an “If..., then..., because...”“If..., then..., because...”
statementstatement
is not necessarily proven correct just becauseis not necessarily proven correct just because data/resultsdata/results fromfrom
oneone experimentexperiment supports itsupports it
when repeatedly supported by the same resultswhen repeatedly supported by the same results  theoriestheories 
lawslaws
ExampleExample
IfIf an individual increases his/her activity level,an individual increases his/her activity level, thenthen their heart rate willtheir heart rate will
increaseincrease becausebecause the body’s muscles (cells) will require more oxygen tothe body’s muscles (cells) will require more oxygen to
function at a higher level. A faster beating heart will increase bloodfunction at a higher level. A faster beating heart will increase blood
flow; thus, allowing an increased concentration of oxygen to reach theflow; thus, allowing an increased concentration of oxygen to reach the
cells in need.cells in need.

10. DataData
factual informationfactual information
two typestwo types
1. Quantitative1. Quantitative
2. Qualitative2. Qualitative

11. 2 Types of Data2 Types of Data
QuantitativeQuantitative
datadata consisting ofconsisting of
numbersnumbers
ExampleExample
Heart rate (80 beats/minute)Heart rate (80 beats/minute)
QualitativeQualitative
datadata consisting of verbalconsisting of verbal
descriptions or informationdescriptions or information
gathered using scalesgathered using scales
without numberswithout numbers
ExamplesExamples
Verbal description of heartVerbal description of heart
rate (fast or slow)rate (fast or slow)

12. Repeated TrialsRepeated Trials
experimentalexperimental tests done more than oncetests done more than once
necessary to provide more accurate results;necessary to provide more accurate results; datadata
is averaged togetheris averaged together
lessens the impact of a chance error on thelessens the impact of a chance error on the
experimental resultsexperimental results
ExamplesExamples
In the heart rates lab each participant recorded their heartIn the heart rates lab each participant recorded their heart
rates after performing various activities. Each participant’srates after performing various activities. Each participant’s
data (for resting, walking, and running) represents a trial.data (for resting, walking, and running) represents a trial.
If five total individuals performed the activities andIf five total individuals performed the activities and
gathered data, then there were a total of five trials.gathered data, then there were a total of five trials.

13. VariablesVariables
things that can be assigned or take onthings that can be assigned or take on
different values in andifferent values in an experimentexperiment
any factor that can changeany factor that can change
two typestwo types
1. Independent1. Independent
2. Dependent2. Dependent

14. Two Types ofTwo Types of
VariablesVariablesIndependentIndependent
variablesvariables that are purposelythat are purposely
changed or manipulated in anchanged or manipulated in an
experimentexperiment
the factor that you wish tothe factor that you wish to
testtest
usually expressed after theusually expressed after the
word “if” in theword “if” in the hypothesishypothesis
could be thought of as thecould be thought of as the
“cause” in a cause and“cause” in a cause and
effect relationshipeffect relationship
ExampleExample
The activity level (resting,The activity level (resting,
walking, running)walking, running)
DependentDependent
variablesvariables that may change as a resultthat may change as a result
of the independent variableof the independent variable
the factor you measure to gatherthe factor you measure to gather
resultsresults
usually expressed after the wordusually expressed after the word
“then” in the“then” in the hypothesishypothesis
could be thought of as the “effect”could be thought of as the “effect”
in a cause and effect relationshipin a cause and effect relationship
ExampleExample
The person’s heart rateThe person’s heart rate

15. Identify theIdentify the
VariablesVariables
1. Students receive $1.00 for every
correct answer on the test.
Independent
Variable
Dependent
Variable

16. Control or ControlControl or Control
GroupGroup
a group of subjects in ana group of subjects in an experimentexperiment that are not giventhat are not given
any special treatmentany special treatment
something that is not manipulatedsomething that is not manipulated
same as thesame as the experimental groupexperimental group in every possible way,in every possible way,
except for the factor being testedexcept for the factor being tested
a neutral point of reference for comparison – it allowsa neutral point of reference for comparison – it allows
you to see what changing ayou to see what changing a variablevariable does by comparingdoes by comparing
it to not changing anything.it to not changing anything.
ExampleExample
The resting heart rate represented the baseline heart rate to which anyThe resting heart rate represented the baseline heart rate to which any
increase in activity level was compared to.increase in activity level was compared to.

17. ConstantsConstants
Factors in an experiment (both in theFactors in an experiment (both in the
experimentalexperimental andand control groupscontrol groups) that are kept) that are kept
the same and not allowed to changethe same and not allowed to change
ExamplesExamples
1.1. One minute was consistently the amount of time allottedOne minute was consistently the amount of time allotted
to perform the necessary activityto perform the necessary activity
2.2. The type of activity performedThe type of activity performed
3.3. The stopwatch used during data collectionThe stopwatch used during data collection
4.4. The method used to measure the heart rateThe method used to measure the heart rate

18. Scientific MethodScientific Method
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