The document outlines the scientific method process, beginning with making observations and asking questions to form a testable hypothesis. It explains how to design an experiment by identifying the independent and dependent variables as well as controlled variables, and developing procedures to test the hypothesis. The goal of following this method is to objectively and systematically test hypotheses through measurable and repeatable experiments.

1. Science Inquiry
Forming a Question &
Hypothesis
Designing
the Investigation

2. State the
Problem (as a ?)
Do Background
Research
"Best Guess"
Solution
Design (Materials
& Procedures)
Perform (Collect
& Analyze Data)
Report Results
Hypothesis is
False or Partly True
Hypothesis is
True
Revise!
Try Again
Conclusion
Experiment
Hypothesis
Observation

3. The Scientific Method

4. The Scientific Method

5. The Scientific Method
• Where do we start?
• Does it ever end?

6. The REAL Process of Science
Interactive
Demo

7. The Scientific Method -
Observation
• What are you curious about?
– Write down several topics and questions
you’d like to have answered in your lab
notebook.
– Recall the experiments we’ve done so far.
• How could you go deeper or test related things?
If you need help getting started, check
out Science Bob's Science Fair Ideas.

8. Forming a Testable Question
• Consider each of your topics/questions.
– Is it a good candidate for your science experiment?
• Is it testable?
– Does it present the opportunity to test the affect of one variable?
– HOW will you test/measure your question/outcome?
• Do you have the resources?
– Are the necessary equipment, supplies, locations, etc. available to
you?
– What is your budget and how long will it take to get supplies?
• Can you complete it within the next two weeks?
– If not, cross it out and consider another
• OR narrow down and simplify the topic into something that fits
the criteria above.
When you find one you think will work, CIRCLE
it and start thinking about how you would form
an experiment to test your question.

9. Scientific Questions
• Scientific questions are:
– Testable
• Considers cause/effect.
– “If I do ________, then ____________ will happen.”
– Specific
• Narrows down an idea to a manageable investigation
• Takes into account how the question will be tested/measured
Idea/topic you’re curious about: “Hover-boards!”
Question: “How do hover-boards work?”
or “Can I build a hover-board?”
Scientific Question: “What makes the best skirt
material for a home-made hover-board?”

10. Forming the Question – part II
• A good question considers how it will be tested.
– What will you MEASURE to provide evidence of change?
• Subjective (opinion) assessment falls prey to bias
• Objective (measurable) assessment is less open to bias
– Variables: things that change in the experiment
• Independent Variable:
– The thing you change/test (like types of magnets)
• Dependent Variable:
– Outcomes that change (like # of staples picked up)
– Controls: thing you keep the same
• Procedures that could affect the outcome if not made the same
each time
– Example:
» You test each magnet with piles that are different sizes, shapes,
and have different number of total staples

11. Bias in Scientific Research
• Hypothesizing requires speculation
– bias is an assumed belief that affect the way you see and
understand things
– bias is always present when formulating a hypothesis
• The Scientific Method forces only the
facts to be considered
– seeks to eliminate variables that can skew
results
– encourages collaboration & accountability
• shared results, repeated studies
– still, bias is ALWAYS present & affects
many research outcomes

12. The Scientific Method - Hypothesis
• A hypothesis is an educated guess that answers your scientific
question.
• Incorporates the experiment design.
• Often follows the cause/effect formula.
– “If ________, then ____________ because _____.”
Scientific Question: “What makes the best skirt
material for a home-made hover-board?”
Hypothesis:
“If we test a home-made hover-craft with fabric and plastic skirt
materials,
then the board with a plastic skirt material will hold more weight
because it will keep air in the plenum chamber better than the fabric.”

13. The Scientific Method -
Hypothesis
• Write your answer to the question.
–Tell what you think will happen in an
“if-then-because” statement.
–Support your hypothesis with facts.
• If needed, do more background research
– Internet, books/magazines, interview experts

14. The Scientific Method - Experiment
• How are you going to TEST your hypothesis?
• You need to design an EXPERIMENT
• A good experiment always has:
– Variables
• parts of your experiment that will change
• usually just one thing changes at a time
– Controls
• parts of experiment that will stay the same every time
• gives you something to compare the changes to
• What happens if there is more than one
variable?
• There’s no way to tell WHICH variable is causing the
effect unless you change ONE thing at a time.

15. The Scientific Method –
Experiment Design
• Write down your:
–Independent Variable (ID)
• What’s the ONE thing you change in order to test the
affects?
• HOW will you change the ID?
–Dependent Variable (VD)
• The outcome or response that is measured
– Changes depend on the Independent Variable
– How will you measure (& what units)?
• HOW will you measure the VD?
– ALWAYS use SI units!

16. The Scientific Method –
Experiment Design, cont.
• Write down your:
–Controlled Variables
• Other things that could affect outcomes that must be kept
the same
• MANY things need to be controlled
• A ‘control group’ is similar –
– A trial by which all others are compared
» (i.e. testing magnet strength with a non-magnet)
–Materials
• Supplies, equipment, location needs, etc.
–Rough Procedure