The Scientific

Method
• 1. What are the 5 steps of the scientific
method process?

• 2. What is an independent variable?

• 3. What is a dependent variable?

 Scientific Method
Scientific Method-
A series of steps that scientists and
7th graders use to answer questions and
solve problems

The scientific method is a logical,

problem solving technique
 Steps of the Scientific Method

1. Make an Observation/Ask a question

2. Write a Hypothesis
3. Make Predictions
4. Perform Experiments / Data Collection
5. Conclusion Statement
 Observation
1st Step in the Scientific Method
Process
• 1. An observation is something you can
see or prove

• 2. An inference is an opinion, or
conclusion, based on observed facts
Observation vs. Inference
Observation

Observation

Inference
Observation vs. Inference
1. Observation

2. Observation

3. Inference
Observation vs. Inference
1. Observation

2. Observation

3. Inference
 Write a Hypothesis
2nd Step in the Scientific Method
Process
• Hypothesis-
Possible explanation or answer to a question

“What do you think is the answer to your

question or the reason for your observation”
3rd Step in the Scientific Method
Process
Make Predictions
• Prediction
– Statement of what may happen in the future

“What are some if / then statements that

explain and confirm your hypothesis”
Predictions
If the cows are warned
a car is coming, then
they will stop talking
and act like cows.
Predictions
If…………………
then………..
Predictions
If…………………
then…………………
 Perform Tests or Experiments
4th Step in the Scientific Method
Process
“What will you do to test your predictions?”

-1. Collect Data

-2. Find out if your hypothesis is or is not

correct.
 State Your Conclusions
5th Step in the Scientific Method
Process
• 1. “What did your experiment show?”

• 2. “Did your experiment confirm (prove

right) your hypothesis?”

• 3. Application
“How does this apply to everyday life?”
 Science Vocabulary
1. Bias-
– To influence in an unfair way
– 2. Analyze-
-Consider the detail and subject in order to
discover the meaning. To look at the results and
find meaning.
3. qualitative-observations made with your senses
and not numbers
4. quantitative- observations that include amount
or numbers
 Note Cards
• 1. Make note cards (study cards)

• 5 steps of Scientific Method

• Bias
• Analyze
 Independent, Dependent, and
Controlled Variables
• 1. Independent, dependent, and controlled
variables are tools used in an experiment
to track what is going on
• 2. Allow you to have control over your
experiments
• 3. Allows you to measure your results and
draw accurate conclusions
 Independent Variable
1. What you change or control in an
experiment

-You can only have one independent

variable
 Dependent Variable
- 1. What you measure in an experiment

- 2. You can have more than one dependent

variable
 Controlled Variables
1. Any other conditions in an experiment

2. Must remain constant or the same

 Control Group
• A group in an experiment that is not tested
or effected
 Examples
• Fast-food experiment

• Plant
 Scientific Method Review

1. Ask a Question or Make an Observation

2. Write a Hypothesis
3. Make Predictions
4. Perform Experiments/Tests-Collect Data
5. State Your Conclusions
 Practice
• The Jones put a real Christmas tree up 1. What is the independent variable?
in their home each year. This year they
don’t know what species of tree to buy
because they want a tree that smells 2. What are the dependent variables?
good, keeps it’s needles and stays
fresh the longest. They go to the local 3. List some controls the Christmas tree
Christmas tree farm to cut down their farm would need to do in order for
tree. their results to be more valid.
The Christmas tree farm has
performed their own trial this year, and
a month ago cut a blue spruce, 4. What could the farm have down
Douglas fir, and white pine and placed differently to increase the “validity” of
them in water and displayed them their experiment.
outside the store. This allowed
customers to view the trees, feel the
needles, and see how the different
coniferous trees held their needles and
smelled.
True or False
1.Independent variables affect dependent
variables.
2.The experimental group is the group that
is tested during an experiment.

3. Name the 5 steps in order

1. Which variable remains constant?

2. Which variable do you measure and

have no control over?

3. Which variable to your control?

• True or False
1. To analyze means to consider the detail and
subject in order to discover the meaning.
2. It is okay to have bias when performing scientific
experiments.
3. The experimental group is the one being
tested in an experiment.
4. The control group is used to compare results
to the experimental group in an experiment.