SCIENTIFIC METHOD The factor that is changed is known as the independent

Steps in the Scientific Method variable.

 Observation The factor that is measured or observed is called the
 Hypothesis dependent variable.
 Experiment
 Data Collection Example of Controls & Variables
 Conclusion  For example, suppose you want to figure out
 Retest the fastest route to walk home from school.
 Observations  You will try several different routes and time
how long it takes you to get home by each one.
Gathered through your senses  Since you are only interested in finding a route
A scientist notices something in their natural world that is fastest for you, you will do the walking
Observations yourself.

An example of an observation might be noticing that What are the Variables in Your Experiment?
many salamanders near a pond have curved, not  Varying the route is the independent variable
straight, tails  The time it takes is the dependent variable
 Keeping the same walker throughout makes the
Hypothesis walker a control variable.
 A suggested solution to the problem.
 Must be testable One more thing… it is best to make several trials with
 Sometimes written as If…Then… statements each independent variable.
 Predicts an outcome
Valid Experiments
An example of a hypothesis might be that the Remember: To be a Valid Experiment:
salamanders have curved tails due to a pollutant in the Two groups are required --- the control & experimental
moist soil where they live. groups
There should be only one variable
Experiment
A procedure to test the hypothesis. DATA
 Results of the experiment
Variable – factor in the experiment that is being tested  May be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative
 Must be organized
A good or “valid” experiment will only have ONE  Can be organized into charts, tables, or graphs
variable!
Conclusion
Controls and Variables  The answer to the hypothesis based on the data
 Scientific Experiments Follow Rules obtained from the experiment
 An experimenter changes one factor and
observes or measures what happens. Retest
In order to verify the results, experiments must be
The Control Variable retested.
 The experimenter makes a special effort to
keep other factors constant so that they will not REVIEW:
affect the outcome. Solving a Problem
 Those factors are called control variables. 1) Identify a Problem
2) State Observations about the problem
What is the Purpose of a Control? 3) Form a Hypothesis about the problem (if…then…)
 Controls are NOT being tested 4) Design an Experiment to test the hypothesis
 Controls are used for COMPARISON 5) Collect Data
6) Form a Conclusion
 Other Variables
7) Retest