Scientific Method

The 7-step process to scientific

Scientific methods are the waysinvestigations
in which
scientists follow steps to answer questions
scientists follow steps to answer questions
and solve problems.
- Life Science, Holt, pg.
10
What is the Scientific Method?

The Scientific Method is a logical process used to find answers

to questions about the world around us.
Is there only one Scientific Method?

• No! There are several versions of this scientific process ranging

in the number of steps.

• However, all versions begin with a question to be answered

based on observations of the world around us and provide an
organized method for conducting and analyzing an experiment.
 Which version will we use?

We will be using a 7-step version in class with the following steps:

1. Observe and Question.

2. Research the question.
3. Form a hypothesis.
4. Experiment and Observe.
5. Analyze data.
6. Draw Conclusions.
7. Communicate results.
Do real scientists use this process?

• It’s important to note that even though many scientists do use

the idea of the Scientific Method for their daily work, they do
not necessarily use each of the individual steps.

• Also, a similar version of the Scientific Method has been

adopted by businesses all over the country. It teaches
employees and management to diagnose a problem, think
about ways of solving that problem, then testing those ideas to
try and solve the problem. It’s the same process but with a
twist!
 Step 1: Observe and Question or
Establish the Problem

• What do you want to know or

explain?

• Use observations you have made

to write a question that
addresses the problem or topic
you want to investigate.

• Your investigation must be

observable, measurable and
repeatable.

What question would you ask if you found these frogs in a pond?
Question: What’s causing frog
deformities in Minnesota?
 Step 2: Research the question

• This is an important step, especially when you do an independent

investigation such as a science fair project.

• Researching your question lets you know if others have done this
same experiment before and if so, what their data suggests. If
they had a widely accepted conclusion, you may want to try a
different angle with your experiment or test a different variable.

• You should also research the scientific concepts associated with

the experiment. For example, if you are testing to see which
paper towel brand is the most absorbent, you should research
absorbency, paper material, and quality control testing. This will
help answer the “WHY?”
 Where might you find information
about the problem of frog deformities?

 Internet
 Dept of Game and Inland Fisheries
(DGIF)
 Veterinarian
 Library
 Step 3: Form a hypothesis
A hypothesis is a possible solution to a problem or question- an
educated guess.

#1 The deformities were caused by chemical pollutants in

the water
#2 The deformities were caused by attacks from parasites
living on the frogs
#3 The deformities were caused by an increase in
ultraviolet light from the sun
 Before testing a hypothesis scientist
must make IF-THEN statements

Example:
IF a substance in the pond water is
causing the deformities, THEN the water
from ponds that have deformed frogs will
be different from ponds in which no
deformed frogs have been found.
 Take a look at #’s 2 and 3 and
form if-then statements

#2 The deformities were caused by attacks

from parasites living on the frogs

#3 The deformities were caused by an

increase in ultraviolet light from the sun
 Possible If-Then Statements

 Hypothesis #2-
If a parasite is causing the deformities, then this parasite
will be found more often in frogs that have deformities.

 Hypothesis #3-
If an increase in exposure to ultraviolet light is causing
the deformities, then some frog eggs exposed to
ultraviolet light in a lab will develop into deformities.
Step 4: Experiment and Observe to
test your hypothesis
• Design a procedure that tests your
hypothesis to see if your prediction is
correct.
• Record all of your data and observations
and put them into a table that is neat
and organized.
 Controlled Experiment

An experiment which tests only one

factor at a time and consists of a
control group and one or more
experimental groups.
Data Table
 Step 5: Analyze data

• Is your data reliable? Does it make sense?

• Put your data into a chart or graph and look for any trends.

Pie Chart Line Graph Bar Graph

 Multiple Trials

At this point it may be necessary to

verify your conclusion by repeating
the experiment. Each experiment
completion is known as a trial.
 Step 6: Draw conclusions

• Do your data and observations support your hypothesis?

• If you cannot make a definite conclusion, you may need to try

the experiment again.

• This means you may either need to rewrite your procedure if it

was not specific enough; you may find that your hypothesis was
wrong.
Example:
According to the research, prolonged exposure of frog
eggs to UV light caused deformities in frogs.
Step 7: Communicate results
• Report the results of your experiment to
let others know what you have learned.

• This will be represented as either a lab

report, oral presentation, or Science Fair
display board.

• Scientists may want to repeat your

procedure to see if they get the same
results as you. They may also tweak your
experiment a little and have a slightly
different focus.

• Also, your report may lead to a new

question which may lead to another
investigation. This of course brings us
right back to the first step again!
 One Last Thought

If your hypothesis was wrong-

IT’S OK!
Proving a hypothesis wrong is still
helpful-
either way something is learned!
What Did Thomas Edison Say?

..."I have not failed 700 times. I

have not failed once. I have
succeeded in proving that
those 700 ways will not
work. When I have
eliminated the ways that will
not work, I will find the way
that will work."
Scientific Method

Any
Questions?
!
Experimental Design

HOW DO I
SET UP AN
EXPERIMENT?
Let’s take another look at our frog
experiment
What Was Our Question?

What’s causing frog deformities in Minnesota?

 Our Hypothesis

If an increase in exposure to ultraviolet light is

causing the deformities, then some frog eggs
exposed to ultraviolet light in a lab will develop
into deformities
 Controlled Experiment

An experiment which tests only one

factor at a time and consists of a
control group and one or more
experimental groups.
 Groups

Control Group- the group left

unchanged
Group with no Ultraviolet Light
Experimental Group- the group that
is changed
Group with different amounts of UV
 Variables
things that are changed
Two Types:
Independent variable- the one thing you
change in an experiment
Amount of UV light
Dependent variable- what changes based on
the independent variable
Amount of deformed frogs
Data Table
Data Table

Bar Graph
 Other Vocabulary

 Data- pieces of information- may be

kept in a log
 Controls- everything kept the same
for each group
 Survey- observation of many existing
items
 Whew!

That was A LOT!