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Steps of the Scientific Method

Understand the scientific method with steps, variables distinction, and more. Learn how to formulate hypotheses and conduct experiments for credible results. Discover the importance of communicating findings.

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Steps of the Scientific Method

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  1. Steps of the Scientific Method

  2. Objectives • List the steps of the scientific method • Use the scientific method to formulate a problem or question you want to solve • Differentiate between independent and dependent variables • Differentiate between constant and control • Differentiate between qualitative and quantitative

  3. The Scientific Method involves a series of steps that are used to investigate a natural occurrence.

  4. Scientific Method • Define Problem/Question • Research • Hypothesis • Experiment • Observations/Data Analysis • Conclude and Share Does NOT always occur in this order…

  5. Steps of the Scientific Method • Problem/Question:  Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.

  6. What is wrong with this hypothesis? • If a black cat crosses my path, then I will have bad luck. • Not testable because… • What is bad luck? • What is good luck? • Not scientifically measureable!

  7. Steps of the Scientific Method 2. Observation/Research: Make observations and research your topic of interest. • Collect background info about the problem Where can you find good information? • Books, scientific journals, internet (reliable sites!)

  8. Do you remember the next “step?”

  9. Steps of the Scientific Method 3. Formulate a Hypothesis: Predict a possible answer to the problem or question. *Must be able to TEST it!**

  10. How could you test this HYPOTHESIS? • Example: If soil temperatures rise, then plant growth will increase.

  11. Steps of the Scientific Method • Experiment= an organized process used to test a hypothesis  Tests only ONE condition (AKA variable)  A controlled experimenttests the effect(s) of this variable

  12. Groups in a controlled experiment… Control Group • Used as a standard • Constant – variable that remains the same • Experimental Group • Is changed Independent – changed by experimenter • Dependent – changed by independent

  13. Steps of the Scientific Method 5. Observations and Data Collection: • Data= observations/measurements collected during experiment

  14. Steps of the Scientific Method 6. Conclusion: judgment based on findings; sums up experiment • Was the hypothesis correct? • What could you change to better the experiment?

  15. What do we do with the results of experiments… make Scientific Laws and Scientific Theories! What is a Scientific Law? What is a Scientific Theory? How are they the same? Different?

  16. How are scientific Laws and Scientific Theories SIMILAR? • Both are based on tested hypotheses; • Both are supported by a large body of empirical data; • Both help unify a particular field; • Both are widely accepted by the vast majority (if not all) scientists within a discipline. • Both scientific laws and scientific theories could be shown to be wrong at some time if there are data to suggest so.

  17. How are scientific Laws and Scientific Theories DIFFERENT? • A law describes what nature does under certain conditions, and will predict what will happen as long as those conditions are met. • Often mathematically defined • Common in chemistry and physics • A theory explains how nature works. • often non-mathematical • Common in biology

  18. Steps of the Scientific Method Communicate the Results: • Why is it important to communicate the results? • Science is always changing • All work must be “double checked” by peer review

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