2. What is the scientific method and how is it
used in science?
3. Used to solve a problem
Organized & detailed so anyone can repeat
and get same results
6 Steps
4.
5.
6. 1. Question
◦ Use natural events to answer
2. Make Observations
◦ Use prior knowledge
◦ Use 5 senses to collect information
◦ Research information
Science book, or credible Internet journals or articles
3. Hypothesis
◦ Educated guess to answer Step 1 with information
from Step 2
◦ “If…. then…” statement
7. 4. Experiment
◦ Carried out under controlled conditions
Control as much as possible to get accurate results
◦ Follows a detailed procedure
◦ Variables – factors that affect an experiment
Independent variable –what you introduce to one group
in the experiment
Dependent variable – data collected
◦ Trials – each time you run the experiment
8. 5. Data
◦ Collected during an experiment
◦ Shown in a data table and a graph
6. Conclusion
◦ Restate the hypothesis and explain if you agree or
disagree
◦ Must support with results from experiment
9. A highly tested hypothesis
Must meet criteria:
◦ Hypothesis proves true multiple times
◦ Is tested by other scientists with similar results
Ex) Theory of Evolution, Big Bang, Plate
Tectonics
10. Proven theory
Must meet criteria:
◦ Theory is HIGHLY tested by MANY scientists and is
proven with same results
Ex) Law of Gravity, Newton’s Laws of Motion
