The document outlines the scientific method process used by scientists to conduct experiments. It describes the key steps as observation, inference, hypothesis, experimentation, and conclusion. The scientific method involves making an observation, inferring why it occurred, hypothesizing with an "if...then" statement, designing a controlled experiment to test the hypothesis, and analyzing the results to draw a conclusion. An example experiment is provided to illustrate how pollution (independent variable) could be tested against fish deaths (dependent variable). The scientific process aims to build knowledge through experiments that may confirm or refute hypotheses.

1. Scientific Method
How Scientists Do Science

2. Science is
 A process of Discovery
 Determining Cause and
Effect

3. How does this work?

4. Watch out for BOLD
vocabulary words!

5. Scientific Method
1. Observation – uses 5 senses, a fact
2. Inference – Why do I think (what ever I
observed) happened?
3. Hypothesis – Statement of reasonable
guess what happened
 “If….then….”

6. Scientific Method (cont.)
4. Controlled Experiment – way of
testing the hypothesis/guess
 More on this….
5. Conclusion – seeing if the data from
the experiment agrees with the
hypothesis
 It’s ok if it doesn’t!

7. Lets put Science into Action
 Observation
 Inference
 Hypothesis
 Controlled
Experiment
 Conclusion

8. Controlled Experiment
 The heart of science
 Eliminates other causes so we can link a
single cause with a single event.

9. Controlled Experiment
 Hypothesis: If the water is polluted, then the
fish will die.
 Cause: Pollution
 Effect: Death
 Set up 2 groups to test the hypothesis
 Control Group: Normal Conditions
 No pollution in the water
 Experimental Group: Change one thing
 Put pollution in the water

10. Controlled Experiment
 Independent Variable – What have I
changed?
 Presence or absense of pollution
 Dependent Variable – What will I measure?
 Number of dead fish

11. Controlled Experiment Synonyms
Independent
Variable
Manipulated
Variable
Cause Ex.
Pollution
Dependent
Variable
Responding
Variable
Effect Ex Fish
Deaths

12. Other parts of an experiment
 Controlled Variables – all the other stuff that
could effect the experiment.
 This has to be kept the same between the
experimental and control groups.

13. Data – Chart form
Independent Variable Dependent Variable
No Pollution 43 live fish, 2 dead fish
Pollution 20 live fish, 30 dead fish

14. Data – Graph form
X axis – Independent Variable –
Quantity of Pollution
Y
axis
–
Dependent
Variable
–
Number
of
live
fish

15. We will spend more time on
graphing as it is ALWAYS on
the Regents…and also on
your test.

16. Use the Data to draw a Conclusion
 Hypothesis: If the water is polluted, then the
fish will die.
 Does the data agree (confirm) or disagree
(refute) our hypothesis?
 It is ok to disprove a hypothesis. What else
might be going on?

17. Are there any new questions that could
be asked?
Creative Thinking is Key!
Be Curious About the World

18. Science builds on prior knowledge
There is always more to learn!
Experiment
Experiment
New questions New Questions
New Experiment New Experiment
More new Questions More New Questions More new questions
More new questions

19. A few more terms
 Theory – an accumulated body of knowledge
that is well tested and unifies a broad range
of observations
 Gene-Chromosome Theory of Genetics
 Cell Theory of Life
 Evolutionary Theory
 Law – an accepted fact
 Law of Gravity