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The Scientific Method
Name: ______________________________________ Date: __________________ Core: _______
LT: I can describe the steps of the Scientific Method.
Step 1: __________________________________________________________________________
The question must be …. Testable / Untestable (circle one)
Testable means that you can ______________________________, _________________________,
and ______________________________ to answer the question.
Practice: Remember -the key to a good research question is that it can be tested. If the question is based on opinions or personal preferences, then it is not testable.
Read each research question below. If it is testable, circle “YES”. If it cannot be tested, circle “NO”.
- Does the amount of fertilizer affect how tall a flower grows? YES NO
- Are roses prettier flowers than tulips? YES NO
- How can we make cut flowers stay fresher for a longer time? YES NO
- Can daisies grow in different types of soil? YES NO
- Do daffodils smell better than carnations? YES NO
Step 2: __________________________________________________________________________
Find information about your topic and determine your variables.
A variable is ______________________________________________________________________
There are 3 types of variables:
- IV or _____________________________________________. This is the ___________ factor that the ___________________________________________________.
- DV or _______________________________. This is the factor that can be _______________ or _________________________ as a result of changing the ____________________________. This is the factor we _____________________________.
- CV or ____________________________________________. These factors are kept the _________________________ during an experiment.
Practice: Determine the IV and DV for each inquiry. Suggest at least 3 constant variables (CV) for each.
- What amount of sunlight makes pea plants grow tallest?
IV: ____________________________________________________________ DV: ___________________________________________________________ CVs: ______________________________________________________________________
- Which type of soda has more sugar?
IV: ____________________________________________________________ DV: ___________________________________________________________ CVs: _______________________________________________________________________
- Is a ball’s bounce affected by the height from which it is bounced?
IV: ____________________________________________________________ DV: ___________________________________________________________ CVs: _______________________________________________________________________
Step 3: __________________________________________________________________________
A ____________________________ is a _______________________________________________
of the outcome of an experiment based on ______________________________________________.
A hypothesis is usually written in the form: ______________________________________________
Practice: Identify the IV, DV and write a hypothesis for the following questions.
- What type of music quiets a crying baby faster: jazz, classical or rock?
IV: _____________________________________________ DV: __________________________________________________ Hypothesis: ____________________________________________________________________
- Is the number of eggs a chicken lays affected by the hours of daylight?
IV: _____________________________________________ DV: __________________________________________________ Hypothesis: ____________________________________________________________________
- Will a rubber band or string hold more weight without breaking?
IV: _____________________________________________ DV: __________________________________________________ Hypothesis: ____________________________________________________________________
qualitative – observational data that describes something that is not measured, like color or shape (not a number)
quantitative – observational data that is measured, like height, weight, how many more (or less), how long (time); this is a NUMBER
scale – a measure of something by using a series of regular units, such as inches on a ruler or degrees on a thermometer
testable question – an idea that can be tested experimentally
untestable question – an idea that cannot be tested experimentally
variable – something in an experiment that might change
dependent variable – the thing in an experiment that changes (the EFFECT); the thing that the experiment measures
independent variable – the thing in an experiment that makes the dependent variable change (the CAUSE); the thing that the experimenter CHANGES
controlled variable – the thing(s) in an experiment that does not change; also called the CONSTANT
