Scientific Method

Scientific Method

Experiments, Variables, Graphs, and Measurements

​Experiments

• ​In science, every full experiment has a between 4-6 components. These make up the "scientific method"

  • ​Observation

  • ​Hypothesis

  • ​Experiment

  • Data ​Analysis

  • ​Conclusion

  • ​Reporting

• What we see or know to begin with

• ​What we predict will happen

• ​How we test our prediction

• ​What we find when we test our prediction

• ​What the results of our analysis MEAN

• ​Sharing our results with others

​What these words mean...

​Variables

• ​In science we use different terms to help us clarify what PART of an experiment we're talking about

• ​The most important terms are:

  • ​Dependent Variable

  • ​Independent Variable

  • ​Control Variable(s)

​Graphs

• ​Knowing how to read graphs is important. Because graphs help us 1) visualize trends, 2) identify outliers, 3) make predictions

• ​When we look at a graph we use specific terms to describe the relationship between variables that we see: direct, inverse, and flat (or constant).

​The dependent variable is always on the y-axis!

​Measurements

• ​When we are in the lab, knowing how to use measuring instruments is very important.

• ​Two important rules apply:

  • ​Always measure at the bottom of the meniscus

  • ​Always estimate to one digit beyond the max precision of the implement

Multiple Choice

If a measuring device has markings down to the 'ones' place, when we use it to measure, we should record to the...

• tens place

• ones place

• tenths place

• hundredths place

Multiple Choice

What we predict will happen when we conduct our experiment

• Hypothesis

• Data Analysis

• Conclusion

• Experiment

Multiple Choice

What we found from testing our prediction but before we interpret what it means

• Conclusion

• Data Analysis

• Hypothesis

• Observation

Multiple Choice

Clear communication of results with others so that they can confirm or refute what we found

• Conclusion

• Observation

• Data Analysis

• Reporting

Multiple Choice

The variable we are measuring and the one we're interested in

• Dependent

• Independent

• Control

• Neutral

Multiple Choice

The variable(s) we keep the same to make sure we are only testing one variable

• Dependent

• Independent

• Control

• Neutral

Multiple Choice

The variable we change and manipulate in order to test the variable we're interested in

• Dependent

• Independent

• Control

• Neutral

Multiple Choice

If a graph shows a DIRECT relationship, it allows us to predict that as our independent variable increases...

• our dependent variable will increase

• our dependent variable will decrease

• our dependent variable will stay the same

• we cannot make a prediction

Multiple Choice

If our graph depicts a CONSTANT relationship, then a data point far from the trend line is a...

• Direct relationship

• Indirect relationship

• Outlier

• Mistake

Multiple Choice

An INDIRECT relationship looks like a.....

• flat line

• upward sloping line

• downward sloping line

• varies in what it looks like

Multiple Choice

The dependent variable is ALWAYS on the...

• x-axis

• y-axis

• z-axis

• either x or y axis