The Scientific Method How to successfully complete your science project using the… Created by: Alicia R. Martinez.

The Scientific Method

How to successfully complete your

science project using the…

Created by: Alicia R. Martinez

Getting Started

Oh, no…you’ve been

assigned by your teacher

to do a science project

and you don't know

where to begin. Well, a

science experiment is

nothing more than a way

to solve a problem.

Taking a closer look at the…

Scientific Method

Choosing a TopicA good topic has a problem that can be answered

only by experimenting.

If the topic is broad or general, too many factors

(variables) will exist that cannot be controlled and

you will find it hard to produce reliable results.

Visit the following sites if you need ideas for a topic:http://school.discovery.com/siencefaircentral/scifailstudio/ideas.html

http://www.infowest.com/life/projects/htm

http://www.ipl.org/div/kidscplace/projectguide/sci_method.html

http://www.scifair.org/articles/sm.shtml

http://www.madscience.org

http://edweb.tusd.k12.az.us./jtindell/

http://www.sciencebuddies.org

Title

Your project will need a title because it lets people know what you have worked on.The title should be in the form of a statement, unless you use the problem statement as your title. Then it should be in the form of a question.Examples:Poor Title: Soap Powder Better General Title: Cleaning Power Of Soap PowderProblem Statement as Title: Which Detergent Powder Is the Best Cleaner of Ketchup Stains?

Problem Statement

The problem is the scientific question to be solved, in other

words…the question tells people what you are trying to find

out.

It is always written in the form of a question, even if it is

used as the title.

Example:

Poor Problem Statement: How does detergent work?

Better Problem Statement: Which powder detergent works

best in removing ketchup stains on cotton fabric? (Gain,

Tide, Arm and Hammer)

Background InformationBooks, encyclopedias, magazines, or experts in a field can give you background information to help you understand your topic.

This information will not answer your questions, but it will give you ideas about your topic.

For example, you may read about soap and what it is made of, and include it in your project report, but you still have to do the experiment to get the answer to your questions. Begin collecting information for your bibliography.

Access to online resources (subscription paid for by M-DCPS)http://virtuallibrary.dadeschools.netusername: miamidadepassword: miamidade

HypothesisAfter getting information about your topic, you need to form

a hypothesis. A hypothesis is a guess about what you think

the answer to your questions may be and needs to be

written in an “If…, then…” statement. The experiment will be

performed to test the hypothesis.

Example:

My hypothesis is that if Gain detergent is used to remove

the ketchup stain on the cotton fabric, then the ketchup stain

will be removed better than with detergents Tide and Arm

and Hammer.

MaterialsThis is a list of all the materials and supplies used in the project. Quantities and amounts of each should also be included and be stated using the METRIC SYSTEM only

Poor Example: brands of soap, shirts with ketchup stains, containers, and water

Good Example: 450 mL of each detergent (50 mL of Gain detergent, 50 mL of Tide detergent, 50 mL of Arm and Hammer detergent per trial). 450 mL of Heinz ketchup (50 mL per trial). 3,600 mL of water (400 mL per trial). 3 - 20 cm x 30 cm bin9 - 12cm x 12cm pieces of cotton material

Procedures

Example:1.Label three containers with the name of each detergent (Gain,

Tide, Arm and Hammer)

2.Pour 50mL of each detergent in its corresponding container.3.Add 400mL of water to each container.4.Pour 50mL of ketchup on each of the 3 pieces of cotton

material.5.Place one piece of material in each container and let each piece

of fabric soak in water for 30 minutes. 6.Remove the pieces of fabric and rinse each with tap water for 1

minute and let it dry for 24 hours.7.Record data using the following scale (“0”-not clean through “5”-

very clean)8.Repeat steps 2-7 two more times for accuracy.

In the procedure the steps used to complete the project are listed. This is usually presented in a numbered format, in such a way that others can reproduce the procedures. Remember the experiment must be conducted 3 times for accuracy.

Controlled Variables/ConstantsThis is what stays the same in your experiment to ensure that

you will be fair and unbiased when conducting the tests . For

example, for the mentioned experiment the controls would be

the following: - Using the same amount of water and

detergent in all trials.

- Same amount of ketchup

- Letting the pieces of fabric soak in the water for the

same amount of time to ensure that all three

detergents get the same amount of time to remove the

stain.

- Same amount time each piece of material is rinsed

under the tap water.

Independent Variable

This is the one element that you are

testing or manipulating.

- the different brands of detergent

Dependent Variable

This is the one element that is

responding.

- the ketchup stain

Data

What did you see? Record all your observations

in a log or lab sheet. Create tables, graphs,

charts, illustrations and other visual data. Data will

not be discussed in this section. Don’t forget to

take pictures.

Results

The results are a statement of what was found according to the data. It should be quantitative data, if not, create a scale for your observations. For example utilize a scale of “0” (not clean) through “5” (very clean).

Example:

After conducting my experiment 3 times, the results were that Gain detergent had an average of 5, Tide detergent had an average of 3 and Arm and Hammer detergent had an average of 2.

ConclusionIn the conclusion, the results of the experiment is evaluated and interpreted as it relates to the problem statement. Answers the questions, “What was the purpose of the investigation?”, “Was your hypothesis supported by the data?”, “What were the major findings?”, and “What are possible reasons for the results?”.Gain removed the entire ketchup stain, while the other two detergents partially removed the ketchup stain. Therefore I accept my hypothesis that Gain was going to remove the ketchup stains the best on cotton fabric. The purpose of this investigation was to find the most effective detergent in removing stains. A possible reason for the fact that Gain was the most effective could be that it is the most expensive of the three detergents tested.

REMEMBER…If your results do not support your hypothesis, DON'T change your hypothesis.

Applications

Answers the questions, “How can the investigation be improved?”, “How can you use the findings from this investigation in your daily life?”, and “What new question(s) has your experiment lead you to ask that could be tested in a new investigation?”.

Example:My investigation can be improved by including additional brands of detergents and possibly an extra trial. The information I learned can be useful because it will help consumers purchase the best type of detergent to remove ketchup stains. After conducting my experiment, I wonder if different temperature of the water will really have an effect on removing ketchup stains.

Acknowledgments

You should make a list of anyone who may

have helped you, including your parents,

teacher, companies, etc. Be specific and

tell what they did to assist you in this

project.

AbstractThis is a short summary of the entire project. It must include purpose, procedure, and results in a paragraph form. You should limit yourself to no more that 250 words. The abstract is usually the first item the judge looks at after the title.

ABSTRACT The purpose of this scientific investigation was to (PROBLEM STATEMENT) ________________________________________________________________.My hypothesis is that if _____________________________, then __________.In order to conduct my experiment, I (PROCEDURES) ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________After my experiment the results were that : (RESULTS)__________________________________________________________________________________Therefore, I accept/reject my hypothesis that (HYPOTHESIS)_____________________________________________________________________________(If rejected…) My hypothesis was not supported by the results because…(state a possible

reason) ____________________________________________________.One way that I can improve my project is by… (more trials, duration, other changes)______________________________________________________________.

BIBLIOGRAPHY _________________________________________________

Project ReportThis report contains all of the components included in the science display board, plus a title page, background information, table of contents and acknowledgements. It is preferable for the report to be processed on a computer, but a neat hand- written copy will be accepted.

Cleaning Power of Detergent

Powder

Grade 5Room 205

Table of Content

Abstract....................................2

Problem Statement ..................3

Background Information...........4

Hypothesis…….………………..5

Materials………………….……..6

Procedures……………….……..7

Variables…………………….…..8

Data………………….…………..9

Results…………………….……10

Conclusion……………………..11

Application……………………..12

Acknowledgements…….…..…13

Bibliography……….…………..14

Pages must be

numbered!

Very Important to Remember

●Mom and Dad can help, but YOU have to do

the experiment YOURSELF.

●Keep it simple.

●Include all of the components and steps in your

experiment.

●The science project is worth 10-12 grades!

●Turn in the components and the display board

on time.

●HAVE FUN!

We hope that you will find this

process educational AND

enjoyable!

Questions???