Scientific Method

4th Grade Scientific Method

Scientific Method

The process involved in solving a scientific question.

Question/Purpose

Step 1: What do you want to find out.  What problem are you trying to solve?

Research

Step 2: Where you need to learn as much about the topic as you can.

Hypothesis

Step 3: Make a prediction about what you will do or what you think will happen.

Experiment Procedure

Step 4: Design  your experiment.  Write the steps for your procedure.

Record Data

Step 5: Organize your data. Create a table, chart, or graph to record your data.

Analysis/Conclusion

Step 6: Look at your data.  What did you find out? Did your results support your hypothesis?

Independent Variable

The thing you are testing and the ONLY thing you change.

Dependent Variable

The results you record. Usually what is being tested.

Controls

All the other things in an experiment that do NOT change.