The Scientific Method

1. a series of logical steps to follow in order to solve a problem no right or wrong way, as long as it is logical usual steps Observe Question Research Hypothesize Experiment Analyze Conclude The Scientific Method

2. Observe • simple things you notice in nature • Newton noticed things fall to the ground. • Darwin noticed some creatures survive better. • Fleming noticed bacteria wouldn’t grow around the mold. • Carver noticed nitrogen content in the soil is higher around some legumes (peanuts).

3. Question • decide what you want to know • why do things fall? • why do they survive? • why won’t the bacteria grow? • why is the nitrogen content higher?

4. Research • gather everything already known • commonly known information • experiments done by others • documented observations

5. Hypothesize • predict an answer to your question • usually and “if ______, then _____” statement • “If all objects fall to earth at the same rate, then some constant force is pulling on them.”

6. Experiment • plan a carefully controlled experiment • determine your variable • variable - anything that can change in an experiment • a good experiment has only ONE variable • document your plan • document your equipment • perform the experiment • RECORD your detailed observations • what changed? what didn’t? • measurements where appropriate

7. Analyze • organize your data • create tables or graphs if appropriate • does the data support your hypothesis? • if yes, do the experiment again to gain further evidence • if no, do the experiment again to check for mistakes • still no? rethink your hypothesis

8. Conclude • summarize what you have learned • detail what your observations and data told you • explain what this information means and how it supports or denies your hypothesis • include ideas for new experiments to

9. Failure or Success? • NO experiment is a failure! • even if our hypothesis is proved wrong, we have still learned something • discoveries from “failed” experiments • North America • penicillin