What is the Scientific Method?

The basic steps that scientists follow in uncovering facts and solving scientific
problems
(a plan for solving a problem).
An organized plan for gathering, organizing and communicating data
Eight Steps - depends on source
Pauls observations hardly plan experimental records, research conundrum
Steps
1. Problem (Ask a Question)
2. Observations and Complete Background Research
3. Hypothesis Development
4. Plan Experiment
5. Experiment (Test your Hypothesis)
6. Record
7. Report (Analyze the Data)
8. Conclusion (Report and Share)

Step 1: Problem (Forming a Question)

Develop a question or problem that can be solved through experimentation.

Cleary Stated
Clearly refined to identify the variable being tested
Narrow Scope
Can you form a question about a gummy bear in water?

Step 2: Observation and Background Research

Everything starts with an observation

It will be used to form a hypothesis
Collect knowledge needed to know about the subject of the experiment
What can you observe and research about a gummy bear?

Step 3: Develop a Hypothesis

Hypothesis = an educated prediction to the answer of the stated problem

Clearly states what you expect to happen based on observations and
background information
Two accepted formats:
I thinkbecause Or Ifthenbecause
Both formats include the all-important because statement used to justify
your prediction.
Examples:
I thinkbecause

 I think a gummy bear can expand in water____ times, because it can absorb
water
Step 4: Plan Experiment to Test Hypothesis

The design test the hypothesis

For our experiments often we will only test ONE variable
Ensure safety and is doable
The procedure is clearly mapped out and replicable
What are the materials?

Step 5: Experiment

This is where you conduct an experiment (a situation specially set up to

observe how something
happens or to test your hypothesis)
Do multiple trials or runs
Create multiple data sets
Includes variables:

TEAM

Independe
nt
Variable

What you are changing in the

experiment

Cause

GRAPH
PLACEMEN
T
y-axis

Dependent
Variable

The outcome caused by changing

the
independent variable, a
measurement

Effect

x-axis

Control

DEFINITION

Used for comparison in your

experiment

Compariso
n

What are our variables in the gummy bear experiment?

Step 6: Record (collect and analyze the data

Use the appropriate type of graph is select to display the data

Clear title
Axes are clearly labeled
Make it clear for anyone
Include data in a data chart
Construct charts, graphs, averages, percentages, etc
How would you graph the Gummy Bear experiment?

Step 7: Results

Use data to let anyone know how you interpret the data
This is not where you write the conclusion this is where you interpret the
data.
For example: according to the data, the gummy bears density stayed the
same but it grow three times the size of the control.
For example: The gummy bears size did not grow fast during the first day,
but grew three times the size of the control on the second day

Step 8: Conclusion (sharing)

A summary of results, the answer to your question.

What were the possible sources of error?
Does your data (answer) support your hypothesis? Why or why not?
What conclusion can you make about the Gummy Bear lab?
We conclude that our hypothesis was supported or not supported based
on our data.