1. Scientific Method
Chapter 1

2. What is the Scientific Method?
 Organized way to study a question or
problem…
 6 basic steps…

3. Step 1
 1) Observe and state a problem …
-ex) why do leaves change color in
the fall months

4. Step 2
 2) Form a hypothesis
 -testable explanation for an observation
 -ex) Maple leaves change color when air
temperature drops
 -usually placed in an “If … then” format
 -ex) If the air temperature drops below
50 degrees, then leaves begin to change color.

5. Step 3
 3) Test hypothesis – form an experiment
 Control Experiment – only one variable is
changed at a time

6. Step 3 cont.
 Variable- factor that is
tested, what “changes”
 Control group- NOT
exposed to variable
 Experimental group-
exposed to variable

7. Step 4
 4) Record and analyze data
 Data is usually recorded in a organized manner, such
as a table
 2 Types of Data-
-quantitative – “numbers”
4 feet tall, 5 leaves per branch
-qualitative – “descriptive”
green leaves, brown leaves

8. Step 4 cont.
 Data is then analyzed by graphing …
 3 Types of graphs –
-bar graph … used to compare groups
-circle (pie) graph …used to show groups
in relation to all, often % values
-line graph …used to show “change” 2 or
more variables

9. Characteristics of Graphs…
Testing the Effects of a Change in
Temperature
Number of Leaves Change
30
25
20
Fall
Color
15
Summer
10
5
0
Group

10. Steps 5 and 6
 5) Form a conclusion
-Does the data support the hypothesis?
 6) Repeat (modify)
 Theory – unifying explanation for MANY
observations, well supported hypothesis