The Scientific Method

Shukria Shawqi’s EDU 290 Class

The Scientific MethodLearning how to experiment

Using the Method

The scientific method is a way to find answers to questions that interest you.

The following 5 steps help you get results that you want in experimentation.

The 5 Main Steps

Define the problem

Create hypothesis

Design and carry out experiment

Make observations

Draw conclusions

Click one of the steps below or the arrow to continue.

Ask a Question!

The most interesting experiments are about something you’re interested in.

Think of your likes and curiosities.

What do you want to learn more about??

Main menu

Hypothesize!

The next step is to decide what you think will happen.

Think of what you already know, and go from there.

Make an educated guess as to what you think will happen in your experiment.

Main menu

Experiment!

Form a step-by-step plan to carry out your experiment

How can you test your hypothesis?

Perform several trials to collect enough data.

Main menu

Observe!

Observe your experiment and record data.

What is happening in the experiment?

These observations will help you form your conclusion

What are the results of your experiment??

Main menu

Conclude!

This is where you summarize the end result.

Did the results support or not support your hypothesis?

Discuss why you think you got the results that you did.

Main menu

Real-life Example

Mythbusters uses the scientific method.

They ask a question, hypothesize, form an experiment, observe the results and then make a conclusion to the question.

Main menu

SourcesRight Arrow and Left Arrow. [Online image] Available www.clker.com/clipart-3667.html, October 3, 2010.

Mythbusters. [Online image] Available www.everydaynodaysoff.com/tag/mythbusters/, October 3, 2010.

Arrow Collage. [Online image] Available www.rednoise.org/pdal/index/php?n=Main.Questions, October 3, 2010.

Magnifying Glass. [Online image] Available www.fotosearch.com/clip-art/magnifying-glass.html, October 3, 2010.

Question Mark. [Online image] Available www.blingcheese.com/image/code/68/question+mark.htm, October 3, 2010.

Main menu

SourcesScientist Performing Experiment. [Online image] Available www.clipartguide.com/_pages/0511-0908-2808-1650.html, October 3, 2010.

Girl Scientist. [Online image] Available www.junkscience.com/JSJ_Course/jsjudocourse/8.html, October 3, 2010.

Hernandez, Beverly. How to Use the Scientific Method. [Online] Available http://www.homeschooling.about.com/cs/sciexperiments/ht/cientificmethod.htm, October 3, 2010.

ThinkQuest. Experimenting with the Scientific Method. [Online] Available http://www.library.thinkquest.org/J001402F/, October 3, 2010.

Main menu