Download Scientific Method

Scientific Method
A process to gather information
Observation
• Observe an unexplained natural
phenomenon
• Collect information and ask questions
• Alexander Fleming observed a bacteria free
area around mold…..hmmm could this be
useful?
Hypothesis
• A statement about an idea that you can test,
based on your observations
• Example: If penicillin inhibits bacterial
growth then those plates treated with
penicillin should have little to no bacterial
growth.
Experimentation
Variables
• Are factors that will affect the results of your
experiment
• Example – what factors might affect the rate of
bacterial growth? How many variations of
theses factors can you come up with?
• For your experiment to be valid all variables
must be kept constant
Experimentation
Independent variable (experimental variable)
• Scientific experiments are designed to
investigate only one variable at a time.
• What would be the experimental variable in
Flemings experiment?
Experimentation
Control group
• A group that will not be exposed to the
independent variable
• It is used as a comparison
• What would the control group “look like” for
Fleming's experiment?
Experimentation
Experimental Group
• The group that would be exposed to the
independent variable
Data
• The results from the experiment are usually
mathematical since it is highly objective
• Usually presented in a data table and or
graph
• These results are called the dependent
variable
• What might be the dependent variable in
Fleming’s experiment
Conclusion
• Will support or fail to support the
hypothesis
• Represents the truest available information
at that time
Theory
• Is a testable explanation for a natural
occurring phenomenon and is capable of
predicting future occurrences
• Has been supported by many experiments,
all pointing to the same results