Download The Scientific Methods

VFMS
2014
Mrs. Long
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Whenever you observe your world around
you, you are acting like a scientist.
Scientists do more than observe, they also
question what they see.
Scientists also attempt to find the answers to
their questions.
There are many forms of the scientific
methods, but they all model around the same
basic steps.
A. State the Problem / Observations
◦ Develop a clear statement that defines the
problem.
◦ The act of noticing and describing events in a
careful orderly manner.
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Inference
◦ A logical interpretation based on an observation
 Not based on a direct observation
B. Form a Hypothesis
◦ A scientific explanation for a set
of observations that can be
tested.
◦ Can either be SUPPORTED or
REJECTED by the results of an
experiment.
C. Perform an experiment
◦ Design tests that will either support or
reject the hypothesis.
◦ One or more experiments may be done to
test the hypothesis
◦ Experiments are conducted according to
specific rules.
◦ Typically a controlled experiment is
conducted.
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Is defined as an experiment where only ONE
variable is changed.
◦ Types of variables
 Independent variable (manipulated/changed)
 That which is deliberately changed.
 Graphed on the X axis
 Dependent variable (measured)
 That which is watched to see how it
responds
 Graphed on the Y axis
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Types of groups
◦ Control Group (Control setup)
 Normal conditions
 Nothing manipulated/changed
- Experimental Group (experimental setup)
 Same as the control except ONE variable has been
purposely changed
D. Collect and Analyze Data
◦ In any experiment, scientists must record
important information. Observations and
measurements are called Data.
◦ Typically scientists will construct graphs,
models, charts or tables to record the
data.
◦ This allows scientists to visually compare
the data.
E. Form a conclusion
◦ Typically, results from one
experiment are not enough to
reach a conclusion. Many
experiments must be run.
(several trials)
◦ The conclusion will either
support or reject the hypothesis.
 Supported hypothesis – a theory
can be produced
 Rejected hypothesis- a new
hypothesis can be stated and
tested.
 A scientific Law results when a
scientific theory has been
tested many, many times and is
generally accepted as true.