Science is NOT about how many answers you know, but how you BEHAVE when you don’t know.

5 Steps to Scientific Method

Identify the Problem Make a Hypothesis Procedure Collect Data Make a Conclusion

Identify the Problem

Should be phrased as How does affect ?

For example: How does eating breakfast affect student achievement?

Make a Hypothesis

It is an educated guess (predicts outcome of lab) Meaning you look up background information

before making this! Should include the words If ,

then because…. For example: If students eat cereal for

breakfast, then their grades will improve because breakfast activates cellular metabolism.

Procedure

Should be easy to follow in a numerical form Can be repeated by anyone! Identify the Independent and Dependent variables,

control, & constants Independent Variable (IV): thing YOU change

Eating breakfast Dependent Variable (DV): thing you measure

Student achievement Control

Group of people NOT eating breakfast Constants

Same people being tested Same amount of sleep Same classes being graded in

Collect Data

Record in data tables Label units Include a title table

Trials should be repeated!

Conclusion Hypothesis is restated & supported/rejected

with reasoning Sources of error are identified & suggest ways

for future improvements NOT human error Look for systemic or random errors

Compare results to previous research How similar/different Site the source

Suggest ways to improve the experiment Evaluate weaknesses Discuss impact of weaknesses

Experimental Design Ster and Roid conducted a scientific experiment.

They decided to study creatine and how it affects muscle mass (creatine is a muscle enhancer). After much research, Ster and Roid decided to test the dosage of creatine and muscle mass. They mixed doses with 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 grams of creatine with 200mLs of water. Ster and Roid made 28 samples of each ratio. Each participant in the study took 2 doses a day for 14 days (one in morning and one in evening). Each person was required to lift weights for 20 minutes a day. After each day, the total muscle mass gained was measured. Based on their research, Ster and Roid thought that the dose of 6 grams of creatine was the best dose for increased muscle mass.

Identify the following parts:

Problem:

Hypothesis:

Identify the following:

Lab Description: Independent Variable Dependent Variable Control Constants

List the following:

Materials:

With a partner….

Discuss necessary components of well written procedure (at least 2)

Create a sample of a procedure

What’s next???? Pick up 3 scenarios (half sheet) Identify the following with a partner for

the 3 scenarios (write out in your notebook): Problem Hypothesis Lab Description

IV DV Control Constants