The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method
The scientific method is a flexible framework guiding scientific study. It is a set of logical steps by which scientists solve problems. The Scientific Method involves steps (the number varies depending upon your resources)
Observation
Question or problem
Hypothesis
Method (Experimentation)
Data collection and results
Drawing Conclusions
Sharing results and peer review
Observation- You observe something in the material world, using your senses or machines which are basically extensions of those senses.
Problem- You ask a question about what you observe. What you want to know or find out.
Hypothesis- You predict what you think the answer to your question might be. “Educated guess”
Method (Experimentation)- You figure out a way to test whether your hypothesis is correct. The outcome must be measureable. (quantifiable)
Record and analyze data-
Accuracy is important.
Numerical data are best recorded in an organized table and may be displayed in the form of a graph.
You repeat the experiment (and have others repeat it) to confirm your results.
State Conclusion- You state whether your prediction was confirmed or not and try to explain your results.
The Scientific Method
It is important to have other scientists (or in our case other students) review your work to confirm your results.
Independent Variable
Set to a known value
Several independent variables may be controlled in an experiment.
X axis
Dependent variable
Changes in response to changes in the independent variable.
Y axis
Example
In an experiment where the vapor pressure of a liquid is measured at several different temperatures:
Temperature is the independent variable
Pressure is the dependent variable
The Scientific Method - Vocabulary Terms
Using your textbook define the following terms and give an example of each. Write these definitions and examples as part of your notes.
1. Variable 6. Control Group
2. Dependent variable 7. Data
3. Independent variable 8. Trial
4. Controlled Experiment 9. Theory
5. Experimental Group 10. Scientific Law
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