The scientific method

The Scientific Method

The "How To" manual for Science

What is the Scientific Method?

The "Scientific Method" is a process or set of steps taken to produce reliable results to answer a specific question in a scientific investigation.

• Identify a problem/question

• Make observations

• Conduct research

• Formulate a hypothesis

• Test your hypothesis

• Write a conclusion

• Share results

​Steps of the Scientific Method

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Multiple Choice

What is the Scientific Method?

• Making predictions about things in science

• Something Mr. Senghor is always rambling on and on about

• Steps that scientists follow during an experiment to get the most reliable answer

• Making guesses and choosing which one sounds the most lit

Multiple Choice

The steps of the Scientific Method must follow a set order.

• Yes

• No

There are 2 types of data

• Quantitative - Data you measure

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• Qualitative - Data used to describe something​

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​Types of data

A variable is anything that can change or be changed. In other words, it is any factor that can be manipulated, controlled for, or measured in an experiment. The 3 main types are

• Independent - The factor that is changed

• ​Dependent - The factor that is measured

• Controlled - The factors that are kept the same​

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​Types of variables

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Multiple Choice

Which oof these are NOT a type of data. (Choose 2)

• Qualitative

• Science

• Quantitative

Multiple Choice

Data that you can count or measure is ___________ data.

• Numerical

• Qualitative

• Quantitative

• Graphed

Multiple Choice

Which one of these is NOT a type of variable in an experiment?

• Manipulated

• Cooperating

• Dependent

• Controlled

During an experiment, you measure how much each variable changes. At the end, we have a lot of data that needs to be put in a format that makes it easy for people to understand. For this, scientists use data tables, charts and graphs.

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​Graphing

When creating a graph, ​you must remember to put the variables on the correct axes. The independent variable goes on the X-axis and the dependent variable goes on the Y-axis. The acronym DRY MIX can help you to remember this.

​Graphing variables

Multiple Choice

Why do scientists use graphs?

• That way, they can make a better sales pitch

• To display data from an experiment in an easy to understand way

• Because it's more sciency to do extra stuff

• To help v

Multiple Choice

Where on you graph would you place the manipulated or independent variable?

• Y-axis

• X-axis

• At the center of the graph

• At the x-axis intersection

Reorder

Put the steps of the scientific method in order.

• Ask a question

• Research

• Make a hypothesis

• Experiment

• Conclusion

1

2

3

4

5

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5

Multiple Choice

A series of steps used by scientists to solve a problem or answer a question.

• Hypothesis

• Scientific method

• Data collection

• Experiment

Multiple Choice

To make observations you use your _______.

• Feet

• Experience

• Senses

• Smile

Multiple Choice

Performing a test or experiment allows you to test your ___________.

• Conclusions

• Hypothesis

• Data

• Question

Dropdown

Select answer

is the factor that you purposely change or control in order to see what effect it has.

Multiple Choice

All factors that can change in an experiment.

• Results

• Variables

• Conclusions

• Data

Multiple Choice

The outcome of your test.

• Question

• Variable

• Results

• Experiment

Multiple Choice

A testable explanation to a problem that has not yet been tested. 

• Theory

• Hypothesis

• Data

• Fact

Multiple Choice

If you conduct an experiment where you place 5 of the same red candies in different types of soda, all in the same amount of liquid and same type cups the indipendent variable is what? 

• Kind of soda

• Type of cup

• Amount of soda

• Color of candy

Multiple Choice

A student is planning an experiment to find out how the height from which he drops a ball affects how high the ball bounces. The dependent variable is the _____.

• Diameter of the ball

• Force acting on the ball

• Height that the ball bounces

• Height from which the ball is dropped

Multiple Choice

Research Question: Does the type of gasoline put in a car affect how fast the car can drive. I try regular, plus, and premium to see which one makes my car faster.

What is the independent variable?

• Type of gasoline

• which car the gas is put into

• how fast the car can drive

• how much gas is put into the car

Multiple Choice

Does changing the scent of dog food affect how much the dog eats?

I try original, chicken, beef, and shrimp to see which the dog eats more of.

Which of these would be the control group?

• beef scented

• chicken scented

• original scented

• shrimp scented

Multiple Choice

Which step? "Why is the sliced cheese all moldy?"

• make a hypothesis

• draw a conclusion

• ask a question

• experiment

Multiple Choice

When experimenting with the growth of a plant, a scientist uses three (of the same type of) plants, two different fertilizers, equal light, and equal water. What type of variable is the fertilizer?

• Dependent

• Independent

• Control

• Compound

Multiple Choice

When experimenting with the growth of a plant, a scientist uses three (of the same type of) plants, two different fertilizers, equal light, and equal water. What type of variable is the fertilizer?

• Dependent

• Independent

• Control

• Compound

Multiple Choice

An observation is

• the same as an opinion

• only uses what you see with your eyes

• using one of your senses to gather information

• compares data to reach a conclusion

Multiple Choice

The clouds are grey and ground is wet. 

• Qualitative

• Quantitative

Multiple Choice

Which is the best definition for a testable question?

• An informed answer to a testable question

• A question that can be answered by an experiment

• A procedure used to test a hypothesis

• What you are comparing in an experiment

Multiple Choice

Which is the best definition for an independent variable?

• The variables that you need to keep the same for each test. 

• The  variable that you are measuring

• The variable that you are changing or comparing.

• The answer to your testable question

Multiple Choice

Which is the best definition for dependent variable? 

• The variables that you need to keep the same 

• The  variable that you are measuring

• The variable that you are changing or comparing.

• The answer to your testable question

Multiple Choice

Ms. S set up an experiment to see how the mass of a ball affects the distance it rolls off a ramp. What is the dependent variable?

• Distance traveled by the ball

• Height of the ramp

• Mass of the ball

• Where the experiment took place.

Multiple Choice

The part of the experiment that remains the same for the control and experimental group.

• constants

• control

• independent

• dependent

Multiple Choice

The independent variable is the ONE thing you _____ to test your hypothesis.

• change

• keep the same

• experiment with

• investigate

Multiple Choice

The variable that is measured throughout the experiment is the ________________
Hint: It may change as a result of your testing.

• Controlled Variable

• Responsive Variable

• Dependent Variable

• Independent Variable

Multiple Choice

What is the first step in the scientific method?

• draw conclusions

• ask a question/make an observation

• make a hypothesis

• test the experiment