Scientific Methed
Definition of the Scientific Method is..
A systematic process scientists use to ask questions, gather data, and draw conclusions.
A hypothesis is
an educated guess or prediction about what you think will happen in an experiment.
independent variables are
The variable that you manipulate.
There should only be one independent variable in a controlled experiment.
Information gathered using your five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch) or with tools (like a microscope or thermometer).
Objective and measurable – based on facts, not opinions.
A graph is a diagram that shows the
relationship between variable quantities, typically of 2 variables. They are plotted between the X and Y axes.
Steps of the Scientific Method
Ask a Question
Do Background Research
Form a Hypothesis
Design and Conduct an Experiment
Collect and Analyze Data
Draw a Conclusion
Communicate Results
Characteristics of a hypothesis
statement not a question
needs to be testable/measurable
needs to be clear
an educated guess
dependent variables are
The variable that responds to the change you made.
It is measured or observed during the experiment.
An Inference is..
A logical explanation or conclusion based on observations and prior knowledge.
Not directly observed – it’s a reasoned guess about what the observations mean.
List the different types of graphs
Bar grapg, line graph, Pie Chart, Scatter Plot
A discrete process is one that is
completed once or repeats but is not changed.
parts of a hypothesis
independent variable, dependent variable and control variable
control variables are
Conditions that stay the same for all test groups to make the experiment fair.
types of observations
Qualitative: Describes qualities (color, shape, texture).
Quantitative: Involves numbers or measurements (temperature, length, mass).
Parts of a graph are...
title, x-axis, y-axis, labels, scale, legend/key
An interactive process is a process that
improves through a repeated cycle of steps
good hypothesis checklist
Testable and measurable
States relationship between variables
Written clearly in scientific terms
another name for a control variable is
a constant
your 5 senses are..
sight, touch, smell, taste, sound
purpose of graphs are to..
help visualize data and identify patterns or relationships.
They make it easier to compare variables and draw conclusions.
Bonus: give an example of a hypothesis statement
I will review these and give the points if the teams earned them.
Bonus: Give an example of the 3 variables
I will review them and give the teams that earned the points
Bonus: give an example of an observation and an inference
I will review and give out to the points to the teams that earned them
Bonus: draw a graph with all the correct parts
I will review and give the earned points to the teams