The Scientific Method

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The Scientific Methodscientific method noun:principles and procedures for the systematic pursuit of knowledge involving the recognition and formulation of a problem, the collection of data through observation and experiment, and the formulation and testing of hypothesesThe Problem: problem noun : a question raised for inquiry, consideration, or solutionExample: You go to leave for school in the morning and your car wont start

Im going to be late.....AGAIN!Observations & Background Researchobservation noun: an act of recognizing and noting a fact or occurrenceresearch noun:the collecting of information about a particular subject

Hi Mr. Beardsley! Im having car trouble. My car wont start and the lights wont come on eitherHypothesishypothesis noun: an educated guess

The Battery is DeadExperimentexperiment noun: an operation or procedure carried out under controlled conditions in order to test a hypothesis

WEAR GOGGLES! BATTERIES CONTAIN SULFURIC ACID!Collect Datadata noun: factual information such as measurementsMake more observations

Are my lights coming on? Is the engine turning over?Only test one variable at a time!

Draw Conclusionsconclusion noun: a reasoned judgment or inference

My hypothesis was correct!Thanks Mr. Beardsley!Theorytheory noun: a scientifically accepted general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena or a scientific modelIf a hypothesis is tested repeatedly and experimentation always leads to the same conclusion, a theory may be developed.Lawlaw noun: a statement of an order or relation of phenomena that so far as is known is invariableWhen a theory can be proven with no doubts

http://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_scientific_method.shtml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method The Scientific Method

The Oxford English Dictionary says that scientific method is: "a method of procedure that has characterized natural science since the 17th century, consisting in systematic observation, measurement, and experiment, and the formulation, testing, and modification of hypotheses.

The scientific method starts with the need to answer a question, so we ask that needed question.

In order to start to get the answer, we need to do some background research about the question or problem for which we are seeking an answer. This research might be done in the library, in textbooks or most frequently on the internet. Search engines like Google are available on nearly every browser.

From the background information acquired, we then propose a hypothesis which is a reasonable assumption of the answer to our problem.

The next step is to test our hypothesis or assumption with experimentation. We run some tests and collect the data from the tests.

We next examine the data collected. This is often done by using spreadsheets of data and drawing graphs to allow us to draw conclusions from the data collected.

If the data proves our hypothesis to be true, then we report the results. If the data indicated that the hypothesis is false or only partly true, we may want to rethink our hypothesis and try again with further experimental testing.12Standards for Technological LiteracyStandard 8: Attributes of DesignThe engineering design process includes Defining a problem, Brainstorming,Researching and generating ideas,Identifying criteria and specifying constraints, Exploring possibilities, Selecting an approach, Developing a design proposal, Making a model or prototype, Testing and evaluating the design using specifications,Refining the design, Creating or making it, and Communicating processes and results

NOTE: The process is iterative and different steps are revisited as necessary in order to arrive at a solution.

The engineering design process is a bit different. It takes one or more of the proven hypotheses from the scientific method and seeks to build it into something useful for the benefit of mankind. The The engineering design process includes Defining a problem, Brainstorming,Researching and generating ideas,Identifying criteria and specifying constraints, Exploring possibilities, Selecting an approach, Developing a design proposal, Making a model or prototype, Testing and evaluating the design using specifications,Refining the design, Creating or making it, and Communicating processes and results

NOTE: The process is iterative and different steps are revisited as necessary in order to arrive at a solution.

International Technology Education Association (ITEA). (2000). Standards for Technological Literacy: Content for the Study of Technology. Reston, VA: Author.13NASA Model of Engineering Design Process

This process can be placed in graphic form as illustrated here. These steps include:Identify the problemIdentify Criteria and ConstraintsBrainstorm Possible solutionsGenerate IdeasExplore PossibilitiesSelect an ApproachBuild a Model or PrototypeRefine the DesignRepeat the cycle if needed.14Tufts University Example of Engineering Design Process

The process repetition is illustrated more precisely in this Engineering Design Process Diagram prepared by Tufts University.15