The Scientific MethodThe Scientific Method

A Way to Solve a ProblemA Way to Solve a Problem

Updated by

Mrs. Sprenkle

Scientists have to take time to think Scientists have to take time to think logically when they are investigating a logically when they are investigating a question or problem.question or problem.

They break things down into many steps They break things down into many steps that make sense.that make sense.

The “Steps” of the The “Steps” of the Scientific MethodScientific Method

““AAnna nna FFound ound TTwenty wenty AAdorable dorable DDogs and ogs and CCats”ats”

Mrs. Sprenkle???Mrs. Sprenkle???

What are you talking about???What are you talking about???

Step 1Step 1

AAnna = nna = AAsk a Questionsk a Question Scientists Scientists observeobserve the world around them, the world around them,

identify problems, and develop identify problems, and develop questionsquestions..

Ex. Ex. Do violent video games give kids high Do violent video games give kids high blood pressure?blood pressure?

Step 2Step 2

FFound = ound = FForm a Hypothesisorm a Hypothesis Once scientists have “asked a question”, they Once scientists have “asked a question”, they

form a hypothesis form a hypothesis = a statement that can be = a statement that can be tested experimentallytested experimentally. This is sometimes . This is sometimes called an “called an “educated guesseducated guess”.”.

Ex. Playing violent video games Ex. Playing violent video games increases kids increases kids blood pressureblood pressure

Step 3Step 3

TTwenty = wenty = TTest the hypothesisest the hypothesis The next step scientists take is The next step scientists take is to create a to create a

procedure to conduct an experiment to test procedure to conduct an experiment to test their hypothesis.their hypothesis.

With your partner, think of ways you could test With your partner, think of ways you could test the game/blood pressure hypothesis.the game/blood pressure hypothesis.

Variables and GroupsVariables and Groups Independent Variable-Independent Variable- thing that you thing that you manipulatemanipulate in an in an

experiment.experiment. Ex. Ex. Playing Video GamesPlaying Video Games

Dependent Variable-Dependent Variable- the the responseresponse that you measure that you measure Ex. Ex. Blood PressureBlood Pressure

Experimental group-Experimental group- person/thing that person/thing that receivesreceives the the drug/treatment/devicedrug/treatment/device

Ex. Ex. TakTakiing blood pressure while playing VIOLENT video gamesng blood pressure while playing VIOLENT video games

Control group-Control group- person/thing used as the person/thing used as the comparisoncomparison (DOES NOT receive the drug/treatment/device)(DOES NOT receive the drug/treatment/device)

Ex. Ex. Taking blood pressure while playing NON-violent game.Taking blood pressure while playing NON-violent game.

PLACEBO!PLACEBO!

An An inactiveinactive substance which may look like substance which may look like medicine but contains no medicine. In medicine but contains no medicine. In some studies, the participants in a control some studies, the participants in a control group may be given a placebo.group may be given a placebo. Ex. Ex. People given a “sugar pill” and told it is a People given a “sugar pill” and told it is a

blood pressure medicationblood pressure medication

Step 4Step 4

AAdorable = dorable = AAnalyze Datanalyze Data A key to experimenting is observing what A key to experimenting is observing what

happens and writing it down.happens and writing it down. Scientists analyze data by Scientists analyze data by creating charts, creating charts,

graphs, or other VISUAL forms to question graphs, or other VISUAL forms to question and discuss.and discuss.

Ex. The blood pressure readings varied at Ex. The blood pressure readings varied at different times.different times.

Step 5Step 5

DDogs = ogs = DDraw conclusionsraw conclusions Scientists draw conclusions about data and Scientists draw conclusions about data and

determine if it agrees with the hypothesisdetermine if it agrees with the hypothesis

Ex. Blood pressure readings increased each Ex. Blood pressure readings increased each time the kids played violent video games but time the kids played violent video games but not when playing non-violent video games. not when playing non-violent video games. There fore, There fore, the violent video games caused the violent video games caused their high blood pressuretheir high blood pressure..

Step 6Step 6

CCats = ats = CCommunicate Resultsommunicate Results Scientists share their experiments and Scientists share their experiments and

findings with othersfindings with others• Because they share their experiments and Because they share their experiments and

findings, scientists can learn from each other and findings, scientists can learn from each other and often use someone else’s experiences to help often use someone else’s experiences to help them with what they are studying or doing.them with what they are studying or doing.

The Steps ReviewedThe Steps Reviewed

Ask a QuestionAsk a Question Form a HypothesisForm a Hypothesis Test the hypothesisTest the hypothesis Analyze DataAnalyze Data Draw ConclusionsDraw Conclusions Communicate ResultsCommunicate Results