Scientific method Flashcards
What is the scientific method?
It is the basic process skill in the world of science. The scientific method provides scientists with a well-structured scientific platform to find the answers to their questions.
Fill in the blank.
_____ and ______ up an investigation is an integral part of the scientific method.
recording & writing
Name the 9 steps of scientific method.
- Question
- Aim
- Variables
- Hypothesis
- Method
- Results
- Analysis
- Discussion
- Conclusion
I’m using this weird sentence to help me remember:
(Quinn Aimed Violet’s Harp at Mathew’s Red, Amazingly Dirty Cat.)
Give detail about step 1 of the scientific method.
QUESTION
Ask a question to which you want to find an answer. What is happening? How is it happening? Why is it happening?
Example: Will the height of the ramp change the speed of the car?
Give detail about step 2 of the scientific method.
AIM
In the aim you need to determine what you’re going to be investigating. Key words to use are: To determine, to show that, to observe, to measure, to find out, to investigate.
Example: To determine how the height of the ramp will effect the speed of the car.
Give detail about step 3 of the scientific method.
VARIABLES
Factors that might change during the experiment are called variables. We mainly focus on three types of variables for now:
- The dependent variable (the thing you want to measure or investigate)
- The independent variable (is a factor(s) that you control or change in your experiment. It will have an effect on the dependent variable.
- The fixed variable (we keep these constant).
Examples:
Dependent variable: speed of the car
Independent variable: height of the ramp
Fixed variables: same car / same ramp length etc
Give detail about step 4 of the scientific method.
HYPOTHESIS
This is a written statement or prediction as to what you think will be the outcome or result of your investigation. The hypothesis should:
Be specific
Relate directly to the question you are asking
Mention both variables!!
Be testable
Not expressed as a question!
Be written in the future tense.
Example: The speed of the car (dep. v) will increase as the height of the ramp (ind. v) is increased.
Give detail about step 5 of the scientific method.
METHOD
This step tests your hypothesis. In my opinion this is rather similar to writing a recipe, as you must include the apparatus, exact measurements, and must list the steps in point form. It must also be in passive voice and present. NB: Don’t forget to mention safety precautions. Use PPP-passive,present,point form
Give detail about step 6 of the scientific method.
RESULTS
Record your observations from doing the investigation. It is important that you don’t write out an explanation for the results. Present your results in a suitable format such as graphs/tables.
Give detail about step 7 of the scientific method.
ANALYSIS
This is the step where you state in words what the results are often saying in tables or graphs. Discuss is there are any relationships between the dep. and ind. variables. Keep an eye out for patterns/trends in your graphs or tables and describe these clearly in words.
Give detail about step 8 of the scientific method.
DISCUSSION
tricky step Answer the question, “What do the results mean?” Explain why the results are what they are! You need to carefully consider the results:
Where there any unusual results? If so, must be discussed and reasons given. Discuss how the validity and reliability of investigation was ensured.
Validity: Was it a fair test and did it test what it set out to test?
Reliability: If the experiment were to be repeated would the results obtained be similar? Obtain an average by repeating test several times.
Discuss experimental errors that may have occurred, and make suggestions as to what can be done differently next time.
Give detail about step 9 of the scientific method.
CONCLUSION
This links the results to the aim/hypothesis. IN a short paragraph, write both what is observed and whether this supports or rejects the hypothesis restating the variables that were tested.
Example: When the height of the ramp increased, the speed of the car increased. This supports the hypothesis.
Fill in the blank:
When you begin your experiment, it is important to ______ __ ________ that you would like to find an answer to.
State a problem
Fill in the blank:
It is important to show ________ behaviour, by sharing true information about the outcome of your experiment.
Ethical
