1. The Scientific MethodIn Biology Mr. Slate

2. What is the Scientific Method? Ask a Question Do Research Construct a Hypothesis Test with an Experiment Collect Data, Analyze Results, Draw Conclusions Report your Results

3. Why is the Scientific Method Used? It is Systematic It organizes your thoughts and plans It is universal

4. Getting Started Find a topic that interests you ASK A QUESTION Where? When? Why? How?

5. Do Background Research Inform Yourself Be Aware of Current Findings Research Previous Experiments

6. Construct a Hypothesis Definition: A tentative assumption made in order to draw out and test its logical or empirical consequences Should Make Sense Should Be Falsifiable hypotheses. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.Retrieved September 29, 2009, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypotheses

7. Test with an Experiment Ask yourself: What am I trying to prove? Experiment give appropriate answers? Experiment give strong supportive answers?

8. Test with an Experiment Continued… Make sure your Experiment… Has a Control Group Has an Experimental Group Limits Outside Factors Is Repeatable

9. Collect Data Do NOT be bias Be very systematic Do NOT “contaminate” the data

10. Analyze Results Use Statistical Procedures Mathematically describe discrepancies Any unexpected factors play a role?

11. Draw a Conclusion Once again, do NOT be bias! What does your analysis tell you? Fulfill the hypothesis completely

12. True or False Didyour experiment produce expected results? If not, why? Was the experiment bad? Was the hypothesis false?

13. Report Your Results Create a detailed procedure Make your research known This is how science/knowledge progresses Reflect on experiment

14. Reflection What have you learned? What further research should be done? This is the most important step

15. Review Ask a Question Do Research Construct a Hypothesis Test with an Experiment Collect Data, Analyze Results, Draw Conclusions Report your Results

16. Classroom Discussion Do we ever use the scientific method in everyday life without even thinking about it? What are some examples?