scientific method Flashcards
Steps in the Scientific Method
Observation
Hypothesis
Experiment
Data collection
Retest (makes it valid)
Gathered through your senses
A scientist notices something in their natural world
An example might be noticing that many salamanders near a pond have curved, not straight, tails.
Observations
A suggested solution to the problem
Must be testable
Sometimes written as “if…then…” statements
Predicts an outcome
An example might be that the salamanders have curved tails due to a pollutant in the moist soil where they live
Hypothesis
A procedure to test the hypothesis
Variable
Good or “valid” will have only one variable
Experiment
Factor in the experiment that is being tested
Variable
Scientific experiments follow _________
Rules
Experimenter _______________________ and ___________________ what happens
Changes one factor
Observes or measures
The experimenter makes a special effort to keep other factors constant so that they will not effect the outcome
The control variable
Purpose of a Control
Controls are not being tested
Controls are used for comparison
The factor that is changed
Independent variable
The factor that is measured or observed
Dependent variable
Results of the experiment
May be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative
Must be organized
Can be organized into charts, tables or graphs
Data
