Scientific Method
What is the Scientific Method??
n  The
scientific
method is a
logical,
problem
solving
technique.
Steps of the Scientific Steps
Method !
1. 
2. 
3. 
4. 
5. 
Observe (Recognize a problem)!
State the Question!
Hypothesis Statement!
Experiment / Data Collection!
Draw Conclusions!
Observation !
n  The
scientific method begins with an
observation(s). !
n  An observation is a visible or provable
fact. !
n  An inference is an opinion, or
conclusion, based on observed facts.!
State the Question
n  Careful
observations lead to questions
that arise.
n  Your question statement compares
variables.
Does distance affect the
accuracy of a bean bag toss?
n  Example:
What are Variables?
n  A
variable is something that changes.
n  There
are independent variables and
dependent variables.
What is an Independent
Variable?
n 
n 
An independent variable is a variable that
changes unrelated to other factors; a
variable we manipulate, or change, on
purpose.
An independent variable is the variable
whose value we know before we start an
experiment. !
n 
Example: Does the distance affect the accuracy
of a bean bag toss?
•  We know the distances we will use to toss. !
What is a Dependent
Variable?
n 
n 
A dependent variable is a variable that
changes depending on some other factors;
the variable we are trying to find out.
The dependent variable is the variable
whose value we do not know before we start
an experiment. !
n 
Example: Does the distance affect the accuracy
of a bean bag toss? !
•  We do not know the accuracy of the tosses before we
start.!
What is a Control?
n 
n 
n 
A control is a variable that does not change
for the duration of an experiment; a value
that remains the same. !
A control is also called a Constant!
Example: Does the distance affect the
accuracy of a bean bag toss?
n 
The bean bag and the corn-hole boards do not
change during the experiment.
Hypothesis Statement
n 
A hypothesis statement is a statement that
expresses the expected answer to the
problem statement.
n 
n 
n 
what you think the results of the experiment will
show.
Must be a IF, THEN statement!
Example: If a Bean Bag is tossed from
increasing distances then the accuracy of
the tosses will decrease because...!
Experiment
n 
n 
n 
n 
An experiment is a planned way to test a
hypothesis and find out the answer to the
problem statement.
An experiment is a way to collect data and
determine the value of the dependent
variable.
An experiment compares the independent
variable to the dependent variable.
An experiment can only test one dependent
variable at a time.
Why Do We Use Graphs?
n  Graphs
help us visualize numerical
data.
n  There are several different types of
graphs:
n  Bar
graphs
n  Pie graphs
n  Line graphs
Bar Graphs
n 
Bar graphs are used to
show a comparison of
multiple objects.
Pie Graphs
n 
Pie graphs are used
to compare the
parts of a whole.
Line Graphs
n 
Line graphs are
used to show the
relationship
between variables.
Draw Conclusions
n 
n 
n 
A conclusion presents the findings of the
experiment, what the data shows, and states
if the hypothesis was correct (supported) or
incorrect (negated).
The answer to your hypothesis
Two ways to begin a conclusion statement
n 
n 
I Accept my hypothesis…
I Reject my hypothesis…