The 6 Steps
The very first step of the scientific method where you identify what you want to find out.
: What is Ask a question?
The classroom plant has 6 green leaves and is 15 centimeters tall." Is this an observation or an inference?
What is an Observation
In an experiment testing if the amount of sunlight affects how fast a bean sprout grows, the amount of sunlight is this variable.
What is the Independent Variable?
True or False: If your experiment doesn't support your hypothesis, your experiment was a complete failure.
False! (Scientists learn just as much—or more—from unexpected results).
The plant is leaning toward the window because it is searching for light." The second half of that sentence ("because it is searching for light") makes it an...
What is an Inference?
Step 4 of the scientific method where you put your hypothesis to the test.
What is Test with an experiment?
The student got an A+ on their science quiz because they studied every night." Is this an observation or an inference?
What is an Inference.
The variable that the scientist changes or manipulates on purpose in an experiment.
What is the Independent Variable?
Step 5 of the scientific method where you look over your measurements and findings.
What is Study the results (or Collect data)?
If you leave a metal spoon sitting in a hot bowl of soup for five minutes, then the handle of the spoon will get warm because...
heat travels through metal.
The final two steps of the scientific method are "Study the results" and make a...
What is Make a conclusion?
You walk into the kitchen, smell fresh chocolate chip cookies, and see warm oven mitts on the counter." Is 'Somebody just baked cookies' an observation or an inference?
Answer: What is an Inference?
The variable that is measured or responds to the change (the data you collect).
What is the Dependent Variable?
The recorded facts, numbers, and measurements gathered during an experiment.
What is Data?
You see dark, heavy clouds rolling into the sky and state, "It is going to rain soon." Is this an observation or an inference?
What is an Inference?
An educated guess or prediction about what will happen in an experiment (Step 3)
What is Make a hypothesis?
The plant's leaves are yellow." Is this statement an observation or an inference?
What is an Observation?
Factors in an experiment that are kept exactly the same so they don't mess up the results.
What are Controlled Variables (or Constants)?
A final summary that states whether your hypothesis was supported or proven wrong.
What is a Conclusion?
The soil feels dry and the stem is tall and thin." Are these observations or inferences?
What are Observations?
Step 2 of the scientific method involves doing research or doing this
What is Gather information?
Easy way to remember: Observation is what I notice, and Inference is...
What is what I think it means?
In that same bean sprout experiment, the final height of the plant measured in centimeters is this variable.
What is the Dependent Variable?
Why is it important to keep your data neat and organized in tables or charts?
So it is easier to read, analyze, and share with others.
If a green plant is locked inside a dark closet for two weeks, then, it will turn yellow and droop because...
Plants need sunlight to make their own food.