Scientific Method

Scientific Method

Procedure for solving a problem or answering a question

Step 1

State the problem/question

Step 2

Make observations/research the problem or question

Step 3

Formulate a hypothesis

Hypothesis

Possible explanation or solution to the problem/question, based in fact

Step 4

Design an experiment to test the hypothesis which contains an independent variable, dependent variable and a control.

Independent Variable

The variable that the experiment controls (eg: how much light a flower is getting)

Dependent Variable

The change(s) that result from the independent variable (eg: in flower experiment seeing how lights affects plant: growth, number of leaves, color, etc.)

Control

The experimental condition that results are compared to. Each experiment must have a minimum of 3 replicates per condition (run experiment at least 3 times)

Step 5

Collect and analyze data

Step 6

Draw conclusion(s) based on your data that are not too general

Qualitative Data

Qualities of substance, do not changed based on amount (color, boiling point, etc.)

Quantitative Data

Based on amount of substance (weight, height, length, size, etc.)

Theory

An explanation that applies to a wide range of phenomena and is based on extensive research and data