Steps of the Scientific Method
What is the first step of the scientific method?
State the problem or ask a question based on observations
A logical way of thinking about the world
Science
A company wants to test a new dog food that is supposed to help overweight dogs lose weight. 50 dogs are chosen to get the new food, and 50 more continue their normal diets. After one month, the dogs are checked to see if they lost any weight.
What is the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE?
NEW DOG FOOD
A company wants to test a new dog food that is supposed to help overweight dogs lose weight. 50 dogs are chosen to get the new food, and 50 more continue their normal diets. After one month, the dogs are checked to see if they lost any weight.
Which group is the CONTROL GROUP?
The dogs on their normal diets
A company wants to test a new dog food that is supposed to help overweight dogs lose weight. 50 dogs are chosen to get the new food, and 50 more continue their normal diets. After one month, the dogs are checked to see if they lost any weight.
Which group is the EXPERIMENTAL GROUP?
Dogs chosen to try new food
What is the second step of the scientific method?
Gather information (research)
logical guesses or predictions
Inferences
Two groups of students were tested to compare their speed working math problems. Each group was given the same problems. One group used calculators and the other group computed without calculators.
What is the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE?
MATH PROBLEMS
Two groups of students were tested to compare their speed working math problems. Each group was given the same problems. One group used calculators and the other group computed without calculators.
Which group is the CONTROL GROUP?
The students without the calculators.
Two groups of students were tested to compare their speed working math problems. Each group was given the same problems. One group used calculators and the other group computed without calculators
Which group is the EXPERIMENTAL Group?
The group with the calculators
What is the sixth step of the scientific method?
Draw conclusions
TESTABLE explanation for a question or problem
Hypothesis
Three redwood trees are kept at different humidity levels inside a greenhouse for 12 weeks. One tree is left outside in normal conditions. Height of the tree is measured once a week.
What is the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE?
Redwood trees
Three redwood trees are kept at different humidity levels inside a greenhouse for 12 weeks. One tree is left outside in normal conditions. Height of the tree is measured once a week.
Which group is the CONTROL GROUP?
The tree left outside
Three redwood trees are kept at different humidity levels inside a greenhouse for 12 weeks. One tree is left outside in normal conditions. Height of the tree is measured once a week.
Which group is the EXPERIMENTAL GROUP?
Trees in greenhouse
What is the fifth step of the scientific method?
Collect and analyze data
looks for patterns or rules in the natural world
Inductive Reasoning
Two groups of people get a pill. One group gets a pill that contains the new drug to be tested, and the other gets a pill that does not contain the drug.
What is the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE?
The new drug
Two groups of people get a pill. One group gets a pill that contains the new drug to be tested, and the other gets a pill that does not contain the drug.
Which group is the CONTROL GROUP?
The group that did NOT receive the new pill
Two groups of people get a pill. One group gets a pill that contains the new drug to be tested, and the other gets a pill that does not contain the drug.
Which group is the EXPERIMENTAL GROUP?
The group that received the new pill.
What do you do if your data does not support your hypothesis?
Make a new hypothesis and restart the process
compares new things to the rules of the natural world
Deductive Reasoning
Two groups of students are taught algebra. One uses a new method, and the other uses the old way.
What is the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE?
Algebra
Two groups of students are taught algebra. One uses a new method, and the other uses the old way.
Which group is the CONTROL GROUP?
The group that uses the old way
Two groups of students are taught algebra. One uses a new method, and the other uses the old way.
Which group is the EXPERIMENTAL GROUP?
The group that uses the new way