Scientific
Method
Who uses it?
What is it?
Why should I care?
Everyone uses it everyday.
šYes Even You!!!!!!!!!!
It is a way to solve problems. Do you have any problems to solve?
šAny big or any small ones?
Any
of these sound familiar?
šWhere
are My Shoes?
šWhat
should I have for lunch?
šWhat
class do I have next?
šDid I do
my homework for that class?
šWhat is
the cure for cancer?
šWhich
deodorant works the longest?
There are seven steps to the Scientific Method.
š1.
Problem
š2.
Research
š3.
Hypothesis
š4.
Experiment
š5.
Observations
š6.
Conclusion
š7.
Retest
By following these steps in order you will learn about your question.
šNotice
the IN ORDER part. It is very important.
Problem
*This is the question that you are trying to
answer or problem that you are trying to solve.
*Try to narrow it down and be very specific.
Research -
šgather data about your question. -
books
magazines
reports
experts
your
past experiences
Hypothesis
š-an educated guess
š-a
prediction based on data
š-what you
think the answer is based upon your gathered
information
Experiment
šThis has
two different tests: the experiment and the control
šThe
experiment is where you add a variable you are trying to find the effects of
l
Ex: grow
a plant using fertilizer
šThe
control is where you do that experiment without the variable
l
Grow a plant the same way as before, but don’t
use fertilizer
Observations
šCollection of information and data from the experiment.
šIt may
be charts, graphs, or written work.
šThis is
WHAT HAPPENED!!!!!
Conclusion
šWhat did
you find the answer to the question was?
šIt is OK
if it turns out that your hypothesis was not correct. You learned!!!!!!!!!
Retest
šYou need to make sure you did it right the first time
by retesting something.
šNever trust just one test
Report your findings
šOne of
the most important parts of the scientific method is to report to others your
findings.
šYou will
help others learn.