Scientific Method

Scientific Method

A flexible set of steps that scientists follow to conduct valid experiments and discover new things about the world.

Aristotle

Ancient Greek philosopher & scientific thinker; believed all problems could be solved by simply thinking about them.

Did not test his ideas or conduct science experiments.

Galileo

First true scientist; Actually tested his ideas with experiments and the scientific method

Hypothesis

Second step of the scientific method. An educated guess to a problem or question; stated in the "If, then" format

State the problem/question

The first step of the scientific method

Experiment

Carried out by scientists to test a hypothesis, make a discovery or answer a question

Conclusion

Made after analyzing the experiment's data; states whether the hypothesis was accepted or rejected

Variables

Factors that you are testing and analyzing in an experiment

Independent Variable

Factor that is different between groups, or changed purposely during a scientific experiment.

Dependent Variable

Factor that is measured during a scientific experiment; your results/data

Control Variable

Factor that is kept constant/the same in a scientific experiment

Experimental Group

Group that is being tested; group that receives the independent variable

Control Group

Group that receives normal conditions/treatment during a scientific experiment

Observation

Information we collect about the world using our five senses

Qualitative

Using only words to describe things

Quantitative

Using numbers/exact measurements to describe things

Inference

A conclusion or assumption based on observations

Theory

An explanation to a problem that has been shown to be valid after many repeated experiments

Share & Report Findings

The 6th step of the scientific method that allows others to learn about your results

Refine & Retest

The final step of the scientific method that allows improvement to experiments

Data

A collection of facts, such as numbers, words, measurements, observations or just descriptions of things.

The information we collect from conducting an experiment and analyze to form a conclusion.

Analyze

To examine carefully and in detail as to identify causes, key factors and results.

Scientists must do this to their data.

Reliable

Can be trusted; dependable; accurate

Scientific data must this.

Controlled Experiment

A scientific experiment where everything is held constant/the same, except for one thing, which is the independent variable

X Axis

The horizontal axis found on the bottom of a graph. Typically where the independent variable goes.

Y Axis

The vertical axis found on on the left side of a graph. Typically where the dependent variable goes.

Elements of a Graph

1. Title

2. Axis Titles/Labels

3. Axis Scales

4. Data

Direct Relationship

A graph that shows an upscaling (positive slope) line/trend; both variables increase at the same time.

Indirect Relationship

A graph that shows an downscaling (negative slope) line/trend; both variables decrease at the same time.

Bar Graph

Used to compare categories of data

Line Graph

Used to that connect a series of data points with a line to show how something changes over time

Scatter Plot

A graph that uses points to visualize the relationship between two variables