Steps of the Method
This is the first step when you notice something interesting.
What is an observation?
The variable that YOU change or manipulate in an experiment.
What is the independent variable?
True or False: A hypothesis must always be correct.
What is false?
Information collected during an experiment.
What is data?
Maria notices her cookies burn on the bottom but are raw on top. She wonders if changing the oven rack position will help. What step of the scientific method is she starting?
What is making an observation (and asking a question)?
This step comes after your observation and is phrased as a question you want to answer.
What is asking a question (or stating the problem)?
The variable that responds to changes; what you measure or observe.
What is the dependent variable?
A hypothesis should be written in this format, connecting cause and effect.
What is "If... then..." format?
Data that uses numbers and measurements, like height in centimeters or temperature in degrees.
What is quantitative data?
Tim's hypothesis is "If I water my cactus every day, then it will grow taller." After one month, his cactus turns brown and dies. What should Tim conclude?
What is his hypothesis was not supported (cacti need less water)?
An educated prediction about what will happen, often written as an "If...then..." statement.
What is a hypothesis?
Variables that are kept the same throughout the experiment to ensure a fair test.
What are constants (controlled variables)?
This term describes a hypothesis that can be tested through experiments and observations.
What is testable?
Data that uses descriptions and observations, like color or texture.
What is qualitative data?
A baker wants to test if using butter or oil makes fluffier cupcakes. She makes one batch with butter and one with oil, keeping everything else the same. What is she doing right in her experiment design?
What is controlling variables (or conducting a fair test)?
This step involves testing your hypothesis by collecting data through a controlled procedure.
What is conducting an experiment?
The group in an experiment that does NOT receive the treatment and is used for comparison.
What is the control group?
Complete this hypothesis: "If I increase the amount of sunlight a plant receives, then..."
What is "...the plant will grow taller" (or similar logical prediction)?
A visual representation of data that helps scientists see patterns and trends.
What is a graph (or chart/table)?
A student tests whether talking to plants helps them grow. She talks to 5 plants daily for 10 minutes and ignores 5 other plants completely. All plants get the same water, soil, and sunlight. After three weeks, the "talked-to" plants are slightly taller. Why is repeating this experiment important?
What is to verify the results are consistent (or to ensure it wasn't just chance)?
The final step where you decide if your hypothesis was supported or not supported based on your data.
What is drawing a conclusion?
In an experiment testing how fertilizer affects plant growth, the amount of water, sunlight, and pot size would be examples of these.
What are constants?
After an experiment, if your data does NOT support your hypothesis, this is what you should do next.
What is conduct more experiments/write it in a conclusion?
The step where you look for patterns in your data and decide what it means.
What is analyzing data?
A coach notices her basketball team scores more points when they wear their red jerseys versus blue jerseys. She thinks the color gives them confidence. Before concluding the jersey color matters, what should she consider about her observation?
What is there could be other factors?