The document outlines the scientific method as a structured process for investigating questions about the world, including steps such as identifying a problem, formulating a hypothesis, conducting experiments, and drawing conclusions. It explains key concepts like hypotheses, variables (independent, dependent, controlled), and the organization of data for analysis. Additionally, it clarifies the distinction between facts, hypotheses, laws, and theories in scientific inquiry.

1. The
Scientific
Method
The Steps to Success

2. The Scientific Method
What is the scientific
method?
It is a process that is
used to find answers
to questions about the
world around us.
A logical organized
way of solving problem

3. •It is the steps someone takes to
identify a question, develop a
hypothesis, design and carry out
steps or procedures to test the
hypothesis, write down data, and
draw a conclusion.
•In other words, it’s a way to
solve a problem.

4. Scientists take time to think
logically when they are
investigating a question or
problem.
They break things down
into many steps that
make sense.

5.  Is there only one “scientific method”?
 No, there are several versions of the
scientific method.
 Some versions have more steps, while
others may have only a few.
 However, they all begin with the
identification of a problem or a question
to be answered based on observations
of the world around us.

6. They provide an
organized
method for
conducting and
analyzing an
experiment.

7.  What is a
hypothesis?
 It is an educated
guess based on
observations and
your knowledge
of the topic.
 You state it as a
possible answer
to a question.

8.  A hypothesis is an educated guess about the outcome of
your experiment, based on your knowledge and research
conducted.
 Your hypothesis should be a clear and simple statement. (Not
a question)
 It should only state what you think your results will be, not why
you think you will get those results.
 Example: “Bean plants will grow better in direct sunlight
than in indirect sunlight or shade.”
 It is understood that your hypothesis is an educated guess, so
it is unnecessary to say, “I think that” or “I believe” etc. in your
hypothesis.
 Use the words “if” and “then” to create your statement.

9.  Stated in the “If…..,
then….” format
 Example: IF I water
three plants with
different sodas,
THEN the plant that
receives Sprite will
grow the tallest.

10. A HYPOTHESIS is the same
thing as a prediction. It is an
EDUCATED GUESS or what you
think is going to happen in
your experiment.
Example: I think
that the metal
items will be the
best conductors of
electricity.

11. You need to give a reason why
your hypothesis is correct.
Example: …..because
metal is used in wires in my
home.

12. The next step scientists
take is to create and
conduct an experiment to
test their hypothesis.

13. What is data?
It is information
gathered during
an experiment.
It is organized
into a data table
and displayed
visually as a
graph.

14. Graphs
 BAR GRAPHS: can be used to
show how something changes
over time or to compare items.
 have an x-axis (horizontal)
and a y-axis (vertical)
 the x-axis has time period or
what is being measured
 the y-axis has numbers for
the amount of stuff being
measured.
 good when you're plotting
data that spans many years
(or days, weeks...), has really
big changes from year to
year (or day to day...), or when
you are comparing things.

15.  LINE GRAPHS: can be used
to show how something
changes over time
 x-axis has numbers for the
time period
 y-axis has numbers for
what is being measured.
 can be used when you're
plotting data that has peaks
(ups) and valleys (downs),
or that was collected in a
short time period.
 Used for two sets of
numerical data (ex: time
and temp)

16.  1. Choose a problem: State the problem
as a question.
 2. Research your problem: Read, get
advice, and make observations.
 3. Develop a hypothesis: Make a
prediction about what will happen.
 4. Design an experiment: Plan how you
will test your hypothesis.
Steps of the Scientific Method

17.  5. Test your hypothesis: Conduct
the experiment and record the data.
 6. Organize your data: Create a
chart or graph of your data.
 7. Draw conclusions: Analyze your
data and summarize your findings.

19.  Develop a procedure to test your hypothesis.
 It is important to list and have all materials needed to
conduct the experiment properly.
 Accurate measurements must be taken to ensure valid
experimental results.
 Be sure to address safety concerns, and take all
precautions necessary to ensure your experiment is safe
to complete.

20.  Write a procedure to follow, number each step so that others
are able to repeat your experiment by reading the procedure.
 Control your variables
 A variable is anything that can change during an experiment. So
each time you test everything should be the same except the one
variable that you are testing.
 Independent Variable (IV): The variable that is controlled or
manipulated by the experimenter.
 Dependent Variable (DV): The variable that is measured by the
experimenter.
 Control Group (CG): The group that is not exposed to the independent
variable.

21.  Here is an easier way to visualize the concept of
the independent and dependent variable
relationship.
Independent Variable Dependent Variable
Manipulated Measured
Cause Effect
Before After
Input Output
What you do What happens

22.  A group of students were given a short course in speed-reading.
The instructor wondered if a monetary incentive would
influence performance on a reading test taken at the end of the
course. Half the students were offered $5 for obtaining a certain
level of performance on the test, the other half were not offered
money.
 Independent Variable (IV): Monetary incentive ($5 or no money).
(This is the manipulated variable.)
 Dependent Variable (DV): Performance on reading test. (This is the
variable that can be measured by the experiment.)
 Control Group (CG): $0, no monetary incentive group. (This group
was not affected by the IV.)

23.  A researcher is studying the effect of sleep on aggression,
thinking that less sleep will lead to more aggression. She
has some people sleep 6 hours per night, some people
sleep 3 hours per night and some people sleep as much as
they want. She then monitors aggressive behavior during
basketball games among participants.
• Independent Variable (IV): Letting some people sleep only 3 hours,
and others only 6 hours. The researcher manipulates this variable.
• Dependent Variable (DV): Aggression (or aggressive behavior). The
experimenter is monitoring (i.e., measuring) aggressive behavior.
• Control Group (CG): The people that got to sleep as much as they
wanted. This is the group that was not exposed to the independent
variable.

24.  Record the results of the experiment.
 This is done in a data table or chart.
 Organize data well so that finding results and trends
is easier.
 Take thorough and accurate measurements during
the experiment so that the data is valid.
 Find associations and trends in your data. Make
connections about the experiment and your
results.

25.  Compare the hypothesis to the experiments
conclusion.
 State if you proved or disproved your hypothesis.
 Name any errors that could have been made
during the experiment or results that could have
affected your outcome.

26. Identifying
Variables
Independent Variables
Dependent Variables
Controlled Variables (Constants)

27. Independent
Variable –
something that is
changed by the
scientist
What is tested
What is
manipulated
(changed)
3 Kinds of Variables

28. Dependent Variable – something
that might be affected by the change
in the independent variable
 What is observed
 What is measured
 The data collected during the
investigation
 “the numbers”
 Example: how tall the plant grew, how
far the paper airplane flew

29. Example:

30. Controlled Variable – a variable
that is not changed
Also called CONSTANTS
Allow for a “fair test”
Everything in the experiment
except for the IV should be kept
constant

31.  Give a detailed explanation of how you will
conduct the experiment to test your hypothesis
 Be clear about the variables (elements you
change) versus your constants (elements that
do not change)
 A control is the group that you use as a
comparison to see if change has occurred.
 Example: In a medicine study, the group of
people who don’t get the medicine are the
control group
Procedure

32.  Be very specific about how you
will measure results to prove
or disprove your hypothesis.
You should include a regular
timetable for measuring
results or observing the
projects (such as every hour,
every day, every week)

33.  Conclusion: your results or findings based
on data collected during the experiment
 Answer your problem/purpose statement
 What does it all add up to? What is the
value of your project?
 What further study do you recommend
given the results of your experiment? What
would be the next question to ask?
 If you repeat this project, what would you
change?
Conclusion

34. For Example:
Students of different ages were
given a jigsaw puzzle to put
together. The scientist wanted to
see if the students’ ages affected
how long it took to put the puzzle
together.

35. Independent Variable (IV):
Ages of the students
Different ages were tested by the scientist
Dependent Variable (DV):
The time it took to put the puzzle
together
The time was observed and measured by
the scientist
Identify the Variables in this
Experiment:

36.  (1) Same puzzle
 All of the participants were tested with
the same puzzle.
 It would not have been a fair test if
some had an easy 30 piece puzzle and
some had a harder 500 piece puzzle.
 Other constants: (2) same location, (3)
same stopwatch, (4) same person
timing the experiment
What were the constants?

37.  An investigation was done with an
electromagnetic system made from a
battery and wire wrapped around a nail.
Different sizes of nails were used. The
number of paper clips the
electromagnet could pick up was
measured.
Another Example:

38. IV: Sizes of nails
These were changed by the scientist
DV: Number of paper clips picked up
The number of paper clips observed
and counted (measured)
Constants: Battery, wire, type of nail
None of these items were changed
What are the Variables?

39. Let’s Practice!
If I use a heavier bowling
ball, then the ball will
travel faster down the
lane.
IV: weight of bowling ball
DV: speed it traveled
down lane

40.  2) If I use different brands
of paper towels, then
Bounty will absorb more
water per minute than
Sparkle or Quilted.
 IV: brand of paper towel
 DV: amount of water
absorbed per minute

41. 3) If I put 3 spider plants in
different locations, then the
plant in the sunlight will
grow taller in a one-week
period than the plants in the
closet and basement.
IV: location of the plants
DV: height of plants

42. •Fact: In science, an observation that has been repeatedly
confirmed and for all practical purposes is accepted as
“true.” Truth in science, however, is never final and what is
accepted as a fact today may be modified or even
discarded tomorrow.
•Hypothesis: A tentative statement about the natural
world leading to deductions (assumption) that can be
tested. If the deductions are verified, the hypothesis is
provisionally verified. If the deductions are incorrect, the
original hypothesis is proved false and must be
abandoned or modified. Hypotheses can be used to build
more complex inferences (suggestions/conclusion) and
explanations.

43. •Law: A descriptive generalization about
how some aspect of the natural world
behaves under stated circumstances.
•Theory: In science, a well-substantiated
(verified) explanation of some aspect of
the natural world that can incorporate
facts, laws, inferences, and tested
hypotheses.

44. •Fact: Observations about the world around us. A fact is an event or
thing that is definitely known to have happened, to exist, and to be
true. Facts are based on experience and scientific evidence. Example:
“It’s bright outside.”
•Hypothesis: A proposed explanation for a phenomenon made as a
starting point for further investigation. hypothesis is a proposed
explanation for the occurrence of a phenomenon. Scientists formulate
hypotheses as statements and then test them through experiments and
other forms of research. Hypotheses are developed using logic,
inference, and mathematical arguments in order to explain observed
phenomena. However, it must always be possible to refute a scientific
hypothesis. Example: “It’s bright outside because the sun is probably
out.”

45. Theory: A well-substantiated explanation acquired through the
scientific method and repeatedly tested and confirmed through
observation and experimentation. A theory is a broader conception
that refers to a set of explanations, rules, and laws. These are
supported by a large body of observational and experimental
evidence, all leading to robust conclusions. It is important to note
that the term 'theory' is used differently in science than in common
language. What people generally mean then they say they have a
'theory' is that they have an idea. This most closely resembles a
scientific hypothesis. In science, theories are widely supported and
accepted. The following are some of the most famous theories in
science:
•the theory of gravitation, first proposed by Isaac Newton (1642-
1727)
•Example: “When the sun is out, it tends to make it bright outside.”
•Law: A statement based on repeated experimental observations that
describes some phenomenon of nature. Proof that something happens
and how it happens, but not why it happens. Example:
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation.