Scientific Method

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Slide 1

Scientific Method

Slide 2

Steps in the Scientific Method

Observation

Hypothesis

Experiment

Data Collection

Conclusion

Retest

Slide 3

Observations

Gathered through your senses

A scientist notices something in their natural world

Slide 4

Observations

An example of an observation might be noticing that many salamanders near a pond have curved, not straight, tails

Slide 5

Hypothesis

A suggested solution to the problem.

Must be testable

Sometimes written as If…Then… statements

Predicts an outcome

Slide 6

Hypothesis

An example of a hypothesis might be that the salamanders have curved tails due to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live.

Slide 7

Experiment

A procedure to test the hypothesis.

Slide 8

Experiment

Variable – factor in the experiment that is being tested

Slide 9

Experiment

A good or “valid” experiment will only have ONE variable!

Slide 10

Controls and Variables

Slide 11

Scientific Experiments Follow Rules

An experimenter changes one factor and observes or measures what happens.

Slide 12

The Control Variable

The experimenter makes a special effort to keep other factors constant so that they will not effect the outcome.

Those factors are called control variables.

Slide 13

What is the Purpose of a Control?

Controls are NOT being tested

Controls are used for COMPARISON

Slide 14

Other Variables

The factor that is changed is known as the independent variable.

The factor that is measured or observed is called the dependent variable.

Slide 15

Example of Controls & Variables