Scientific Method
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| Scientific Method (the long version) |
Observation
Research Question
Variables
Background Research
Hypothesis
Experiment
Conclusion
Publish Report
A guess of how the independent (manipulated) variable will affect the dependent (responding) variable.
Often given in the form of an "If..., then..." statement.
Record It, and maybe a few notes that might help jog your memory.
Often given in the form of an "If..., then..." statement.
Record It, and maybe a few notes that might help jog your memory.
A Research Question is the guiding question that arises from the wonder of our observation. Our final research is
based on the hypothesis, not the question. This question serves as the arrow to point the direction we should go.
It is within this question that we find our motivation for the research.
The Research Question works best when it is written as a brief, focused statement. Wasn't that the way if first
formed in your mind, anyway? Record It!
based on the hypothesis, not the question. This question serves as the arrow to point the direction we should go.
It is within this question that we find our motivation for the research.
The Research Question works best when it is written as a brief, focused statement. Wasn't that the way if first
formed in your mind, anyway? Record It!
The results of scientific experimentation are shared. As a student, it may be in the form of a formal report.
Scientists often publish the results of their investigations in professional journals. The format is important. You
should ask your teacher or person requiring you to do the research.
If you do not have a format, there is a fairly simple one presented at this website: Science Fair Report Format.
Scientists often publish the results of their investigations in professional journals. The format is important. You
should ask your teacher or person requiring you to do the research.
If you do not have a format, there is a fairly simple one presented at this website: Science Fair Report Format.
We observe the world around us through the processes of our five senses: seeing, feeling, smelling, tasting, and
hearing. Sometimes we use tools to help extend these abilities, for example, the Mars Rover. It helps us see
where we cannot go.
The information we collect is called data. While observing our surroundings, we may become curious how a thing
behaves. In our wonder, we form a question. That question becomes the Research Question.
hearing. Sometimes we use tools to help extend these abilities, for example, the Mars Rover. It helps us see
where we cannot go.
The information we collect is called data. While observing our surroundings, we may become curious how a thing
behaves. In our wonder, we form a question. That question becomes the Research Question.
Independent Variable: This is the variable that we manipulate. It is sometimes called the manipulated variable.
It is the one with which we "tinker." A simple example is demonstrated in a photosynthesis experiment. What
happens is we change the amount of light a plant receives. We manipulate the process of photosynthesis by
varying the amount of light. It is important that only one variable is changed, all others remain constant.
It is the one with which we "tinker." A simple example is demonstrated in a photosynthesis experiment. What
happens is we change the amount of light a plant receives. We manipulate the process of photosynthesis by
varying the amount of light. It is important that only one variable is changed, all others remain constant.
Dependent Variable: This is the variable that should respond to the change in the one selected independent
variable. We should be able to make a statement that sounds like, "When I change the [independent variable],
the experiment responds by [describe changes caused to experiment]. It is here that we find the reason why we
only change one variable (independent variable). We must be able to say without a doubt that the change
occurred because of the one change we made. If we change more than one thing, then we are uncertain which
change may have influenced the outcome.
variable. We should be able to make a statement that sounds like, "When I change the [independent variable],
the experiment responds by [describe changes caused to experiment]. It is here that we find the reason why we
only change one variable (independent variable). We must be able to say without a doubt that the change
occurred because of the one change we made. If we change more than one thing, then we are uncertain which
change may have influenced the outcome.
Controlled Experiment: This is the part of the experiment in which we try to change no variables. It must be as
identical as possible to the portion of the experiment in which we are making changes. For example, in the
photosynthesis experiment, if we had chosen a plant type that was beginning to lose its leaves for the fall, the
control would also lose its leaves. We would then find that our experiment may have introduced some uncertainty
to the change caused by the independent variable. If the control remains healthy and the manipulated plant
changes, then we can expect the change may have been caused by our experimental manipulation.
identical as possible to the portion of the experiment in which we are making changes. For example, in the
photosynthesis experiment, if we had chosen a plant type that was beginning to lose its leaves for the fall, the
control would also lose its leaves. We would then find that our experiment may have introduced some uncertainty
to the change caused by the independent variable. If the control remains healthy and the manipulated plant
changes, then we can expect the change may have been caused by our experimental manipulation.
Analyze Data
I have used a mnemonic device as a memory strategy for students learning this process. I remember the first
one from the class in which it was first developed: Only Riley Vanquished Batman, He Eats Cold Pizza.
one from the class in which it was first developed: Only Riley Vanquished Batman, He Eats Cold Pizza.
Design the Procedures for the Experiment
You must develop a step-by-step procedure for doing the experiment. The first reason is so that you can do the
same experiment again and achieve the same results the next time. This is very important if a great discovery
or cure is found. The second reason is that by not following well developed procedures, a person could
introduce new variables without realizing it.
same experiment again and achieve the same results the next time. This is very important if a great discovery
or cure is found. The second reason is that by not following well developed procedures, a person could
introduce new variables without realizing it.
Note 1: Make sure the procedures remain true to your hypothesis. It is difficult to prove a hypothesis true
or not if your procedures give you results that do not answer your "if..., then..." statement.
or not if your procedures give you results that do not answer your "if..., then..." statement.
Note 2: Check to make sure that the procedures only change (manipulate) one variable.
Here is where you find out about any prior research that has already been done on the topic you are researching.
For instance, if a budding geologist finds a fossil in a region, then decides to write a research paper on it, it would
be important that he makes sure that there has not been a large amount of research already done on the fossil.
Sometimes you may read prior research and not agree with the outcome. This offers a reason to do the
research, as science is about uncovering the facts.
Many times in middle school, the purpose of the experiment is to learn the process. In this case, you should ask
how much background research needs to be done. Your research may include a better understanding of the
processes. If you are doing a photosynthesis experiment, you need to have some understanding of the process.
Take Notes!
For instance, if a budding geologist finds a fossil in a region, then decides to write a research paper on it, it would
be important that he makes sure that there has not been a large amount of research already done on the fossil.
Sometimes you may read prior research and not agree with the outcome. This offers a reason to do the
research, as science is about uncovering the facts.
Many times in middle school, the purpose of the experiment is to learn the process. In this case, you should ask
how much background research needs to be done. Your research may include a better understanding of the
processes. If you are doing a photosynthesis experiment, you need to have some understanding of the process.
Take Notes!
Gather all the Materials Needed
An experiment can be performed by following the procedures only if you do not have to change something.
For instance, stopping because you are missing a vital part of the experiment changes the experiment. It is at
this stage that imagination becomes reality. If you cannot get all the parts necessary, see if you can alter your
experiment to test your hypothesis. Slinging a grand piano in a catapult would be impossible if you cannot find
a grand piano. However, by slightly altering the procedure to use something more common, you could
continue with your experiment.
For instance, stopping because you are missing a vital part of the experiment changes the experiment. It is at
this stage that imagination becomes reality. If you cannot get all the parts necessary, see if you can alter your
experiment to test your hypothesis. Slinging a grand piano in a catapult would be impossible if you cannot find
a grand piano. However, by slightly altering the procedure to use something more common, you could
continue with your experiment.
Perform the Experiment
Follow the procedures. If they cannot be followed, do not be afraid to go back and alter the experiment.
Realize that the experiment has probably started over when you do this.
Realize that the experiment has probably started over when you do this.
RECORD THE RESULTS!
Keep A Science Notebook to Record the Entire Project!
The Scientific Method is a tool for discovering answers to a question that you might develop. We use many parts of
it in our everyday problem solving. We observe, we hypothesize without even knowing it, and we test the result of
our hypothesis. The Scientific Method gives us a "formal" tool for answering questions we believe are important
enough on which we will invest our time, energy, and money.
it in our everyday problem solving. We observe, we hypothesize without even knowing it, and we test the result of
our hypothesis. The Scientific Method gives us a "formal" tool for answering questions we believe are important
enough on which we will invest our time, energy, and money.
The first thing we might want to do is the "fun stuff," the mixing of chemicals or launching the rockets. There is no
problem is your goal it to play. If your goal is to conduct a scientific experiment, then use the Scientific Method as
a tool to accomplish the goal.
problem is your goal it to play. If your goal is to conduct a scientific experiment, then use the Scientific Method as
a tool to accomplish the goal.
Introduction
This is an extremely important point. Break it into sections. Record notes about each step. What may seem
unimportant today may become the most important outcome or item in your whole experiment.
Click here to go to a website that discusses the Science Notebook. It is primarily for teachers, but is a great
tool to see what to put in a science notebook and how to record it.
unimportant today may become the most important outcome or item in your whole experiment.
Click here to go to a website that discusses the Science Notebook. It is primarily for teachers, but is a great
tool to see what to put in a science notebook and how to record it.
Make Notes of Your Observations
Make notes of anything you notice that appears to be a change. Photos are great to record a moment in time.
If your procedures require that you collect data, put it into a table. Do not alter your procedures, follow them
closely. Your results will mean much more if you do.
If your procedures require that you collect data, put it into a table. Do not alter your procedures, follow them
closely. Your results will mean much more if you do.
Your experimental data is probably best shown in a table, a bar or line graph, or a pie chart. You are looking
for trends or patterns. Do the data support your hypothesis? Is it inconclusive (can't figure out anything) and
you need to collect more data? Do the data reveal flaws in your experiment?
A spreadsheet program, like MS Excel, is great for taking your data and plotting it in graphs or charts.
for trends or patterns. Do the data support your hypothesis? Is it inconclusive (can't figure out anything) and
you need to collect more data? Do the data reveal flaws in your experiment?
A spreadsheet program, like MS Excel, is great for taking your data and plotting it in graphs or charts.
What did you learn from your experiment? Did it support your hypothesis? Even if it did not, it doesn't mean the
experiment was a failure. A new question for research may come out of the search for the conclusion.
Write your conclusion as a statement that describes what you learned from your experiment.
experiment was a failure. A new question for research may come out of the search for the conclusion.
Write your conclusion as a statement that describes what you learned from your experiment.
Web-Science.net
A Middle School Level Website