Scientific Method Steps (1)
What is the first step of the scientific method and what does it entail?
Observe / Question
It starts by making observations, wondering something, and collecting information. This leads to asking a question or identifying a problem.
In an experiment what is a procedure?
A procedure is the steps the experimenter takes to conduct the experiment.
The variable that scientists change or manipulate during an experiment. Think of this variable as the ‘cause’. The if part of the hypothesis.
Define the following term: Dependent Variable
The variable that is being studied or measured. Think of this variable as the ‘effect’. The then part of the hypothesis.
Define the following term: Hypothesis
An informed/educated guess or prediction.
What is the second step of the scientific method and what does it entail?
Research
Identify what you know about and learn more background information. This helps us find answers.
What is the third step of the scientific method and what does it entail?
Hypothesis
Based on your research, make a hypothesis - an informed guess or prediction of what you think will happen.
Read the following statement.
The more time people spend using social media, the less they read books.
What is the independent variable?
the amount of time people use social media
Read the following statement.
Drinking energy drinks makes people more aggressive.
What is the dependent variable?
How aggressive people are.
What format should a hypothesis be written in?
If...then
What is the fourth step of the scientific method and what does it entail?
Experiment/Test
Carry out an experiment to test your hypothesis. Making sure to include variables and collect data.
What is the fifth step to the scientific method and what does it entail?
Analysis/Analyze the data
Organize and analyze your data using charts or tables to see if it supports your hypothesis.
Read the following statement.
Taking a nap in the afternoon makes people more focused for the rest of the day.
What is the dependent variable?
Read the following statement.
Spending time with a family dog decreases the amount of stress someone is feeling.
What is the independent variable?
Read the following scientific question.
Do students perform better on an essay when they listen to music while writing?
Write a hypothesis statement to go with this scientific question.
Answer may vary but hypothesis must be in an if...then statement.
If students listen to music while writing then they will perform better on their essay.
If students listen to music while writing then they will perform worse on their essay.
What is the sixth step to the scientific method and what does it entail?
Conclude
Make a conclusion based on your test results and findings. State if your hypothesis was supported or not.
What is the seventh step to the scientific method and what does it entail?
Report/Communicate
Report your findings. Even if your hypothesis wasn’t correct, communicate the information.
Read the following statement.
Eating breakfast in the morning increases the ability to learn in school.
What is the dependent variable?
The students ability to learn in school.
Read the following statement.
Students watched a cartoon either alone or with others and then rated how funny they found the cartoon to be.
What is the independent variable?
Read the following scientific question.
Which brand of chocolate will melt faster in the microwave?
Write a hypothesis statement to go with this scientific question.
Answers may vary but answers must be an if...then statement.
If I use different brands of chocolate in the microwave then the ______ will melt faster.
What are the 7 steps to the scientific method in order?
1) Observe/Question 2) Research 3) Hypothesis 4) Experiment/Test 5) Analysis/Analyze the data 6) Conclude 7) Report/Communicate
How do you know if an experiment is valid? *Hint: There are two things we talked about in class.*
There are multiple trials and data was collected.
Read the following statement.
Workers at a company were assigned to one of two conditions: One group completed a stress management training program; another group of workers did not participate in the training. The number of sick days taken by these workers was examined for the next 2 months.
Identify the independent and dependent variables.
Independent: if the workers went to the stress management training program or not.
Dependent: number of sick days taken by workers in the next 2 months.
Read the following statement.
Students at a University were split into two groups and each received a different text for a philosophy course. Once group received a traditional textbook, while the other received an interactive textbook on a tablet computer. After the course, the final exam grades between the two groups of students was compared.
Identify the independent and dependent variable.
Independent: if the students used a traditional textbook or a interactive textbook on a tablet computer.
Dependent: the students grades
Read the following scientific question.
Do people fall asleep faster when they stop looking at screens an hour before bed?
Write a hypothesis statement to go with this scientific question.
Answers may vary but answer needs to be written as a if...then statement.
If a person stops looking at screens an hour before bed, then the time it takes them to fall asleep will decrease.
If a person stops looking at screens an hour before bed, then the time it takes them to fall asleep will increase.