The Scientific Method
Created by Lydia Reining
Book Builder Coaches Nate, Polly, and Sal are here to help you explore the scientific method. Use these coaches to understand how the scientific method works. Then, create your own science experiment! Click on the purple or blue words to link to the web.
What is it?
The scientific method begins by asking a question. A prediction or hypothesis is made to answer a question. An experiment is designed to test the predication or hypothesis. The data from the experiment is collected. These are the results. The results are then analyized and a conclusion is made to answer the hypothesis. This book will help you define each step of the scientific method.
The Hypothesis
The hypothesis is your prediction of the question's answer. In other words, an educated guess. The tomato hypothesis: soda will grow the tallest tomato plants. This educated guess is about the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. The independent variable (the liquid) is intentionally manipulated or changed during the experiment. The dependent variable (height of the plant) may change as a result of changes made to the independent variable. Changing the types of liquids (independent variable) given to the tomato plants, will effect on the size of the plant(dependent variable).
Your experiment also needs a control, a standard to measure your results against. One tomato plant will not be 'treated'. Finally, keep all other factors the same. These factors are called constants. For example all the plants are tomato plants, all are in the same location and receive the same amount of sunlight, each are given the same amount of liquid at the same time each day. This ensures your observed changes are happening because of the independent variable.
Method
The method are the steps of the experiment that will prove or disprove your hypothesis. Your job now is to organize and accurately record data. The data will prove or disprove your hypothesis. Either outcome is acceptable. Begin the method section by making a list of all the materials you will need to conduct this experiment. For example, the tomato plant experiment will need three potted tomato plants, 1/4 measuring cup, ruler, water, soda, and a salt water solution.
The procedure for the tomato plants is as follows:
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1. Gather all materials.
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2.Place all tomato plants in one location.
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3.Label, measure, and record the height of each plant.
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4.Pour 1/4cup of liquid onto the plant every other day at 3:30pm. for eight days. Measure and record the height of each plant after feeding the plant.
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5.Record the information on a data collection sheet.
Results
Are your results accurate? Conduct three trials by repeating the procedure three times. Record data separately for each experiment. Now that all the data has been collected, lets analyze! Each experiment has its own data that can be compared with the other experiments. Are there any patterns? Is the data the same or different? Use graphs to display data and illustrate patterns. The tomato plants that were given a salt water solution died, the plants given soda did not grow as tall as the plants given water.
The Conclusion
The last step of the scientific method is explaining how your results relate your hypothesis. First, determine if your hypothesis is proven correct or incorrect. Second, explain clearly and concisely how the data proves or disproves the hypothesis. Also consider, would you get the same results if you conducted the experiement again? What have you learned? For example, the tomato plant hypothesis was proven incorrect. The plants given water grew taller.