Scientific Method Basics
A series of steps designed to help you solve problems and answer questions
scientific method
THESE are the many factors in an experiment that remain the same.
constants
It is important to do multiple trials of a test.
TRUE!
Identify the DV: How does light color affect the leaf color of a plant?
leaf color (of the plant)
What is the last step of the scientific method?
Conclusion/Communicating Your Results
A prediction of what you think will happen in an investigation based on your prior knowledge and experience
a hypothesis
What is the correct format for writing a testable question?
How does the independent variable affect the dependent variable?
Identify the IV: A scientist conducted an experiment to determine how the amount of salt in a body of water affects the plants that can live in the water.
the amount of water
The scientific method begins with THIS.
a question or a problem
A picture or visual representation of data.
graph
What 3 words should be included in a hypthesis?
If... (I do this to the IV)
then... (this will happen to the DV)
because... (explain using my prior knowledge and research)
Identify the DV: If I add sanitizer detergent to my towels (laundry), then the towels will smell fresher because the sanitizer will kill bacteria that causes bad smells.
smell/freshness of the towels
Which comes first - experimenting/testing or hypothesizing?
writing a hypothesis
THIS variable is being tested and controlled by the scientist.
independent variable
what changes as a result of the independent variable manipulation in experiments (what we measure)
dependent variable.
Write a testable question...
A scientist wants to know if adding preservatives to jelly (jam) will prevent the growth of mold.
How do preservatives affect mold growth in jelly?
Gathering information by using your senses
Observation
THIS variable is being measured.
dependent variable
THIS data (observations) includes numbers, measurements, amounts, etc... is called
quantitative data
Data is collected for the following investigation:
A scientist conducted an experiment to determine how the amount of salt in a body of water affects the plants that can live in the water.
What type of graph is needed?
a bar graph