EXPLORING THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD EnvironMentors University Chapter November 16, 2011
WHAT IS THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD? Why we need it:
To construct an accurate representation of the world that is reliable, consistent, and non-arbitrary
Who uses it:
Scientists, Engineers, and many other professionals, sharing information collectively
When should we use it:
Over time, as an ongoing process
Source: http://teacher.pas.rochester.edu/phy_labs/appendixe/appendixe.html
THE STEPS OF THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD 1.
Identify a problem/ask a question
2.
Conduct background research
3.
Form a hypothesis
4.
Design an experiment
5.
Collect and analyze data
6.
Draw a conclusion
7.
Communicate your results
#1 IDENTIFY A PROBLEM/ ASK A QUESTION Think
of a topic that interests you or a problem you’d like to address EXAMPLE: I’m interested in water quality. I’ve noticed that the river that flows through my community is very murky and looks dirty.
Now
think of a question that:
Starts with how, what, who, which, why, or where Is measurable (numerically and objectively)
EXAMPLE: Which sections of the river are brown and which are clear? What causes certain sections of the river to be brown?
GROUP ACTIVITY: ASKING A QUESTION
How can we ask a scientific question (specific, clear, and concise) about these interests or problems? A.
I like listening to music on an iPod. When I got a new iPod for my birthday I didn’t know how to get rid of the old one that I didn’t use anymore.
B.
It’s very noisy outside my school and it distracts me from doing my school work.
#2 CONDUCT BACKGROUND RESEARCH Where can we go to get information?
Mentor’s university library High school or public library Internet* Experts in the field Your mentor
What types of information can we get?
Scholarly articles Books Newspaper articles Interview notes
GROUP ACTIVITY: BACKGROUND RESEARCH 
What information might we want to know before we could test this question?
A.
Which sections of the river that flows through my community are brown and which are clear?
#3 FORM A HYPOTHESIS Hypothesis: An educated guess about the answer to your question A good hypothesis will: Identify
the variable that you will be changing in your experiment (independent)
Identify
the variable whose changes you will observe (dependent)
EXAMPLE: If the independent variable is changed in a certain way, the dependent variable will change in a predictable manner.
#4 DESIGN AN EXPERIMENT
Write a list of the materials and tools you will need
Write out your procedure step by step
Be specific – like the ingredients in a recipe You wouldn’t be able to bake a cake if the list only said “flour, sugar, eggs” without exact amounts!
Someone else should be able to repeat it, exactly, if they picked up your notes
Make sure you:
Change only one factor (variable) at a time Repeat the experiment multiple times (at least 3) to be sure results aren’t just an accident
#5 COLLECT AND ANALYZE DATA
Change only your independent variable, and keep all others constant
If you’re comparing water quality at two different places along a river, don’t change date, time of day, weather conditions, or other variables.
Make sure you run your experiment at least 3 times to collect 3 sets of data to compare.
Calculate the mean, median, and mode and other relevant information from your 3 (or more) data sets.
#6 DRAW A CONCLUSION
Analyze whether your data prove or disprove your hypothesis
Remember, if your data disprove your hypothesis it’s still an important finding! Sometimes the most exciting time to be a scientist is when your data show something unexpected.
Find other ways to test your results and new questions you might have
#7 COMMUNICATE YOUR RESULTS
Find the most practical way to display your data
Use clear objective language
Avoid use of the first person
Use active voice whenever possible
Use visual and auditory aids whenever possible
SCIENTIFIC METHOD AND YOUR FUTURE! EnvironMentors Scientific
Careers
Engineers, Physicist, Medical Professionals, Chemist, Veterinarians, Pharmacist, and more!
Environmental
Careers
Marine Biologist, Natural Science Manger, Environmental Scientist, Hydrologist, Meteorologist, Park Ranger, Soil Scientist, and more!
Other
Careers that use Science
Teacher, Lawyer, Political Scientist, Psychologist, Anthropologist, and more!