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Everyone uses it
everyday!
The Scientific
Method
• 
Yes! Even you!
What is it?
Who uses it?
Why should I care?
It is a way to solve
problems!
BIG
or
small
There are SIX steps to
the Scientific Method:
1.  Problem/Question
2.  Information/Research
3.  Hypothesis
4.  Experiment
5.  Observations/Analysis
6.  Conclusion
Any of these sound
familiar?
" 
Where are my shoes?
" 
What class do I have next?
" 
How do I solve that math problem?
" 
Which deodorant works the best?
" 
Which pain reliever works the best?
" 
What is the cure for cancer?
By following these
steps in order, you
will learn about your
problem.
"  
Notice the IN ORDER part. It is very
important!
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1. Problem/Question
"  
"  
This is the problem you are trying to
solve or the question you are trying
to answer.
2. Information/Research
" 
Has someone tackled this problem before?
" 
If not, gather information about your
question/problem:
Try to narrow it down and be
specific.
" 
books
" 
magazines
" 
experts
" 
past experiences
2. Information/Research
" 
Valid Internet sites
" 
Check date when site was last updated
" 
Who put the page together?
" 
Who is responsible for the information?
3. Hypothesis
" 
Independent Variable
" 
" 
The independent, or manipulated, variable is a
factor that is intentionally varied by the
experimenter.
Dependent Variable
" 
The dependent, or responding, variable is the
factor that may change as a result of the
changes made to the independent variable.
" 
This is the expected outcome!
3. Hypothesis
" 
The hypothesis is an educated guess
about the relationship between the
independent and dependent variables.
" 
This is what you think the answer is
based upon the information you gathered
" 
It should be in form If (independent),
then (dependent).
" 
4. Experiment
The actual experiment is broken into two
parts:
1.  Materials
" 
A list of equipment that you will need
for the experiment.
2.  Procedure
" 
A list of instructions that you need to
follow for the experiment. (Should be
detailed!)
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4. Experiment
Control Group
" 
" 
In a scientific experiment, the control is the
group that serves as the standard of
comparison.
" 
The control group may be a no treatment
or an experimenter selected group.
" 
The control group is exposed to the same
conditions as the experimental group except
for the variable being tested.
5. Observations/Analysis
" 
4. Experiment
" 
" 
" 
Trials
" 
Trials refer to the replicate groups that are
exposed to the same conditions in an
experiment.
" 
You should do a minimum of 3 trials.
" 
Analysis
" 
Collection of information and data
from the experiment.
" 
This is an explanation of your
observations.
" 
It may be in the form of charts,
graphs, or written work.
" 
It may involve analyzing your graphs or
charts in order to look for patterns to
help you answer your question.
" 
This is WHAT HAPPENED!
" 
It can even mean putting your
measurements into a mathematical
equation to get an answer.
6. Conclusion
What did you find the answer to your question was?
" 
It should state whether you accept or reject your
hypothesis.
" 
The constants in an experiment are all of
the factors that the experimenter attempts
to keep the same.
5. Observations/Analysis
Observations
" 
" 
Constants
This does not necessarily mean you proved
something--just that your analysis supports your
hypothesis.
Report Your Findings!
" 
Something that is very important but not
officially part of the scientific method is to
report to others your findings.
" 
You will help others learn!
It is OK if it turns out your hypothesis is not correct.
You learned!!!!!!
" 
It may lead to another experiment.
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Common Mistakes
" 
Do not change your hypothesis throughout
the experiment.
" 
Do not rule out and ignore observations and
data that do not support your hypothesis.
" 
John watches his
grandmother bake
bread. He asks her
what makes the
bread rise.
Let s put our knowledge
of the Scientific Method
to a realistic example that
includes some of the
terms you ll be needing
to use and understand.
Problem/Question
" 
Problem/Question
" 
She explains that
yeast releases a
gas as it feeds on
sugar.
John wonders if the
amount of sugar
used in the recipe
will affect the size
of the bread loaf.
Information/Research
" 
John researches
the areas of
baking and
fermentation
and tries to
come up with a
way to test his
question.
Hypothesis
" 
After talking with
his teacher and
conducting further
research, John
comes up with a
hypothesis:
" 
If more sugar is
added, then the
bread will rise
higher.
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Variables
" 
Independent Variable
John is going to use
25 g, 50 g, 100 g,
250 g, and 500 g of
sugar in his
experiment.
" 
" 
Dependent Variable
" 
The size of the
bread loaf.
Control Group
" 
Because his grandmother always uses
50 g of sugar, John is going to use that
amount in his control group.
Constants
" 
other ingredients to the bread recipe
" 
brand of ingredients
" 
rise time
" 
air temperature and humidity where the
bread is rising
" 
type of pan used
" 
oven used
" 
cooking time
Observations/Analysis
" 
" 
Experiment
" 
John writes out his materials and
procedure for his experiment in his
journal.
Trials
" 
John is going to test each sugar variable 3
times.
Observations/Analysis
John comes up with a table so that he
can record his data.
John gets all of his materials together
and carries out his experiment.
Size of Bread Loaf (cm3)
Trials
Amount of
Sugar (g)
1
2
3
Average Size
(cm3)
25
768
744
761
756
50
1,296
1,188
1,296
1,260
100
1,188
1,080
1,080
1,116
250
672
576
588
612
500
432
504
360
432
Control Group
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Observations/Analysis
" 
John examines his
data and notices
that his control
group worked the
best in his
experiment, but not
significantly better
than 100 g of
sugar.
Conclusion
" 
Observations/Analysis
Size of Bread Loaf (cm3)
Conclusion
" 
John finds that 70 g of sugar produces
the largest loaf.
" 
He accepts his new hypothesis.
Trials
Amount of
Sugar (g)
1
2
3
Average Size
(cm3)
50
1,296
1,440
1,296
1,344
60
1,404
1,296
1,440
1,380
70
1,638
1,638
1,560
1,612
80
1,404
1,296
1,296
1,332
90
1,080
1,200
972
1,084
Control Group
John rejects his hypothesis, but decides to
re-test using sugar amounts between 50 g
and 100 g.
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