This document provides guidance on using thinking maps to guide the scientific method process. It includes explanations and examples of how to: 1. Form a hypothesis using a cause and effect map to identify independent and dependent variables. 2. Create a procedure using a tree map to identify variables that will change, stay the same, and be measured in an experiment. 3. Structure an experiment, collect data, analyze results, and draw a conclusion on whether the original hypothesis was supported.

1. First Name: _____________________ Last Name: ___________ Class: Science _____
EXPERIMENTATION USING THINKING MAPS
The Scientific Methodis asking ____________________ about the world around you.
There are _____ steps of the Scientific Method.
You start the scientific method every day by simply just asking a _______________________.
Something the
scientist wants
to learn more
about or
improve.
Usually written
as a
Question..????
Going place
to place to
place finding
out
information
about the
problem.
1Educated guess.
2.About the problem
3. Has to be testable.
4. If/ then sentence.
Use a cause/ effect
map to .
They have
independent and
dependent variables.
Step by step
instructions in
Short simple
sentences.
Procedures are
numberedand
written vertically
*materials and
*safety issues
listed here
Tree maps help
write good
procedures
Tree maps help
write good
procedures
Following
your written
procedure
Writing down
observations
and
measurements.
Working out
math to see
what happened.
Putting findings
into a chart and
graph.
Was the hypothesis
right or wrong.
Why? What was
learned? How can
the information
you learn be used?
Entire paragraph
Scientist share
discoveries with
each other and
people who
might be able
to use the
information.

2. To make a good Hypothesis we use the
CAUSE AND EFFECT MAP
CAUSE SIDE EFFECT SIDE
(things you could change) (things you could measure)
INDEPENDENT VARIABLES DEPENDENT VARIABLES
&CONSTANTS
Form a hypothesis: Choose one cause (from the left side of your cause/effect map). All variables not used on
the left side are constants and will have to stay the same. Choose one effect (from the right side of your
cause/effect map). To create a good hypothesis we take the two chosen squares and make them into an
if/then sentence.
(Ind. Variable)
If ___________________________________________________________________________,
(Dependent Variable)
then_________________________________________________________________________
The “cause” you chose is your independent variable—the one thing you chose to change
The “effect” you chose is your dependent variable—the variable you plan on observing & measuring
You may only change 1 thing in an experiment. The other possible variables you listed on the cause side must
stay constant!
(The problem goes here)

3. How to write a good Procedure
We use a Tree Map also called a T-chart
Problem (written as a Question): _______________________________________
Hypothesis: If ___________________________, then _______________________________________
Group A Group B
Independent variable Independent variable
1 constant 1 constant
1 constant 1 constant
1 constant 1 constant
1 constant 1 constant
Dependent variable Dependent variable
Variable—something that can change in an experiment
3 types of variables
1. Independent variable—the 1 thing a scientist changes in his experiment. There should be a difference
in what is written on this line under Group A and Group B.
2. Constant—a variable that does not change. It stays the same throughout the experiment. The
constant should match word for word on the left side and right side. A good experiment has no less
than 3-5 constants.
3. Dependent variable—this is what the scientist chooses to measure or observe. The results may or may
not be the same.

4. PROCEDURE
We easily convert our T-chart into a well written procedure.
A procedure includes a materials section. This lets us know ahead of time what items we need before we start
the experiment. The procedure also includes any safety concerns that we should consider before we start the
experiment.
Materials Neeed: a list of all needed supplies
Safety Concerns:
1. Explain the change of the independent variable from the T-chart above.
2. Explain each constant as its own step.
3. Record results
4. Dependent variables are not written into procedures b/c we do not know what the results will be until
we have completed the experiment.
EXPERIMENT
Test your hypothesis by following the steps of your procedure.
Collect any data you may need during the experiment and fill in the “dependent variable” section of the T-
chart.
Convert your data into a chart and graphs which easily illustrate what happened in your experiment
Include any photos that may help people understand the experiment better.
CONCLUSION
Conclusions should be several sentences and form atleast 1 paragraph.
Thoughts should include:
Was the hypothesis correct or not
Explain the data or the results of the experiment
Why the information is useful/ helpful
Who the information might be useful to
How could the experiment have been improved created by : Mrs. Henley Dewey, OK