scientific method

• What is the scientific method?

  A logical, organized way of solving problems
• What are the main steps of the scientific method?

  1. Define the Problem
  2. Collect Background Information
  3. Form a Hypothesis
  4. Test the Hypothesis
  5. Make and Record Observations
  6. Draw a Conclusion
• What is the first step in the scientific method?


  Define the Problem
• What is a hypothesis?

  An educated guess or proposed answer to a question or problem
• What is the purpose of testing a hypothesis?

  To determine if the hypothesis is supported or rejected
• What is an experiment in the context of the scientific method?

  A controlled procedure designed to test a hypothesis
• What is an independent variable in an experiment?

  The condition that is varied or changed
• What is a dependent variable in an experiment?

  The condition that responds to the changes in the independent variable
• What is the difference between an experimental group and a control group?

  The experimental group is exposed to changes in the independent variable, while the control group is not
• What must be kept during an experiment?

  Careful records of the experiment
• What is an observation in the context of the scientific method?

  An examination of something in nature detected by any of the five senses
• What is an inference?


  A judgment based on your observation; it is a personal opinion
• How is a scientific conclusion formulated?

  By drawing a conclusion based on data collected during the experiment
• Why do scientists retest their hypotheses?

  To ensure the hypotheses and conclusions are supported or rejected
• What is the process of drawing conclusions in the scientific method?

  • Retest hypotheses several times
  • Other scientists repeat the experiment
  • Conclusions are supported or rejected based on repeated testing