The Scientific Method
What is it?
Logical, problem-solving
technique
Steps Of The Scientific Method
 Problem
 Hypothesis
 Materials
 Procedure
 Data/Results
 Conclusion
Hint To Remember The Steps
People  Problem
Hate  Hypothesis
Mud  Materials
Pigs  Procedure
Don’t Really  Data/Results
Care  Conclusion
Problem Statement
•A question that compares variables.
•Should be what you want to find out.
–Example: Does the drop height affect
the bounce height of a superball?
What Are Variables?
• Something that changes.
•There are independent variables and
dependent variables.
Look back at the last example:
Example: Does the drop height affect the bounce
height of a superball?
What two things are changing?
Drop height, bounce height
These are the VARIABLES.
What is an Independent Variable?
(Also called Manipulated Variable)
We manipulate, or change it, on
purpose.
Example: Does the drop height affect the
bounce height of a superball?
Independent Variable in example: Drop heights
used (we change them on purpose)
What is a Dependent Variable?
(Also called Responding Variable)
Changes depending on some other factors
Variable we are trying to find out (data you are
collecting)
Example: Does the drop height affect the
bounce height of a superball?
Dependent Variable in example: bounce heights
(We don’t know them before we start.)
What is a Constant?
Does not change for the duration of an experiment
Known as the controlled variable.
Example: Does the drop height affect the bounce
height of a superball?
One constant in example: superball
(Does not change during the experiment - same ball
would be used)
Hypothesis
•EDUCATED GUESS
•What you think the results of the experiment
will show
Example: If a superball is dropped from
increasing heights then the bounce heights will
also increase because…(explain why)
Materials
•List of items used to conduct an experiment
(Don’t list pencil and paper unless part of
experiment.)
•Be sure to list quantities and sizes of equipment
(metric)
Procedure
•Numbered steps of the experiment that will be
followed to answer the problem
Note: An experiment can only test one
independent variable at a time.
Note: To ensure reliability and validity,
repeated trials should be done.
Data/Results
•Observations
•Graphs
•Drawings
•Pictures
•Charts
•Tables
•And so on….
Conclusion
•A statement that presents the findings of the
experiment using specific data
•Answers the problem
•Explains what the data shows (data should
support conclusion)
•States if the hypothesis was supported or
rejected
Why Do We Use Graphs?
•Graphs help us visualize numerical data.
•There are several different types of graphs:
–Bar graphs
–Pie graphs (Circle graphs)
–Line graphs
Bar Graphs
Bar graphs are
used to show a
comparison of
multiple objects.
Pie Graphs
Pie graphs
are used to
compare the
parts of a
whole.
Line Graphs
Line graphs are used to the
show the relationship between
variables.
Many times line graphs show
change over time.
Graphing Variables
• The Independent Variable
(Manipulated Variable) is graphed on
the X-Axis
• The Dependent Variable (Responding
Variable) is graphed on the Y-Axis
Remember:
• DRY MIX
Y-axis
Dependent
Variable
also called
Responding
Variable
X-axis
Manipulated Variable
also called
Independent Variable
1. The Independent
Variable is:
a.Temperature
b.Time
c.Solubility
2. The Dependent
Variable is:
a. Temperature
b. Time
c. Solubility
3. The variable that changes depending on
some other factors
A. Independent Variable
B. Dependent Variable
C. Controlled Variable
4. A variable that does not change for
the duration of an experiment.
A. Independent Variable
B. Dependent Variable
C. Controlled Variable
5. What you think the results of the
experiment will show.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Problem
Hypothesis
Conclusion
Data
6. An is an opinion, or conclusion,
based on observed facts.
A.
B.
C.
D.
Observation
Inference
Data
Conclusion