The Scientific Method Flashcards
What are the steps for The Scientific Method?
- Observe
- Ask a Question
- Develop a Hypothesis
- Make a Prediction
- Test the Prediction
- Repeat/Make new tests
- Analyze and Report
How do you make an observation?
An observation can be something that you see, hear, or experience. An observation involves using your senses to take in information about your surroundings.
How do you ask a question?
You just ask a question about what you have observed.
How do you develop a hypothesis?
A hypothesis is a proposed explanation about what you think is happening. A hypothesis should always be testable. You should also make sure that your hypothesis is explaining what you think is happening.
How do you make a prediction?
A prediction is the first step to testing your hypothesis. You’re basically asking yourself what you think you will observe.
How do you test your prediction?
You test your prediction with an experiment.
What is an experiment?
An experiment is a test that’s done under controlled conditions in which you can manipulate things in order to try to explain the phenomenon that’s happening. You’ll set up an experiment, and then you’ll collect data. In an experiment, you will always have variables, which are factors that can change.
How do you repeat/make new tests?
If your results are in line with your hypothesis, you will repeat your test.
If the results you got were different from what your were expecting, you can either repeat the test to make sure or make new tests using a different variable to try and figure out what’s going on in order to explain the phenomenon that’s happening.
Why do you repeat your tests?
You repeat your tests several times, because the more you repeat it and the more data that you have, the more accurate your results will be.
Repeating the test will also help ensure that the results you get are not just a fluke.
How do you analyze and report?
You analyze your results, and then report them. Scientists generally report their results to a Scientific Journal.
What is The Scientific Method?
A series of steps scientists can use as a guideline to solve a problem or examine a phenomenon.
What is a Hypothesis?
An educated guess or explanation of a phenomenon.
What is a variable?
A factor in an experiment that can be changed or manipulated.
What is a Scientific Theory?
An explanation of an observation that has been rigorously tested.
When you call something a scientific theory, you believe it to be true since it has been tested and proven to be true so many times.
