The Scientific Method

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The Scientific Method
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What is Science?

• An organized way of using evidence to learn about
  the natural world
• The body of knowledge that scientists have built
  up after using this process

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Step 1 Observation

• Process of examining the world around you
• Gathering information about events or processes
  in a careful, orderly way
• This info may be research published or results
  obtained by other scientists
• Involves all 5 senses (List them)

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Step 2 Forming a Hypothesis

• A hypothesis is an educated guess that may be an
  answer to your problem/
• question
• It must be testable!
• If, then.. statement in your lab report

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Step 3 Making Predictions

• Determine what you expect to happen if your
  hypothesis is supported

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Step 4 Performing Controlled Experiments

• The key factor (control) is not allowed to
  change
• Ex. Plants grown under light dark conditions
  must be planted in the same soil given the same
  amount of water each day to obtain accurate data
• Collect record data!

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Step 5 Analysis of Results

• After collecting recording Data from your
  experiment
• Study your charts, tables, graphs
• Interpret discuss any recognizable patterns
• Explain why these results have occurred

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Forming Conclusions

• Was your Hypothesis supported or rejected?
• Were there any experimental errors?
• What did you learn?

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Will your Conclusion become a theory?

• A theory is a generally accepted scientific
  principle that scientists are most sure of
• It is formed when the same hypothesis is tested
  retested over over again the same supporting
  results are obtained each time
• It can be rejected/revised later if more/new
  evidence is found (theories are not absolute!)