2. SCIENTIFIC METHOD
1. Formulate a question.
2. Research the question.
3. Form a hypothesis.
4. Conduct an experiment to test your
hypothesis.
5. Analyze data.
6. Draw Conclusions.
7. Communicate results.
3. THE FOUNDATION OF THE
EXPERIMENT
The development of a hypothesis is the first
step in designing and conducting an experiment.
The hypothesis should be:
clear,
specific,
and testable.
4. THE HYPOTHESIS…
Is the prediction for the outcome of the
experiment.
States the relationship between the
independent and dependent variable!
5. FORMAT
If the (independent variable) is (describe change)
Then the (dependent variable) will (describe change)
6. A SCENARIO
Mr. Joralemon tested to see if the amount
of TV had an effect on how many times a
baby wakes up during the night
He had his niece watch 1 hr, 2 hrs, 3
hrs, and 4 hrs of TV
7. THE EXPERIMENT
IV: TV Time (1 hr, 2 hr, 3 hr, 4 hr)
DV: How many times his niece woke up
during the night
Hypothesis: If the (amount of TV time) is
(increased), then the (amount of times the
baby wakes up during the night) will
(increase)
8. THE HYPOTHESIS
Hypothesis: If the (amount of TV time) is
(increased), then the (amount of times the
baby wakes up during the night) will
(increase)
This hypothesis states the relationship
between the amount of TV time (IV) and
the # of times the baby wakes up (DV)
9. EXPERIMENT TITLE
Like your hypothesis, you also use a
specific format on the title of your
experiment
Your title also shows the relationship
between the IV and DV
10. THE TITLE OF YOUR
EXPERIMENT…
Is written in the following format:
“The Effect of (Independent Variable) on
the (Dependent Variable).”
Remember, in your experiment, you are
looking to see if the IV has an effect on the
DV
11. A SCENARIO
Mr. Joralemon tested to see if the amount
of TV had an effect on how many times a
baby wakes up during the night
He had his niece watch 1 hr, 2 hrs, 3 hrs,
and 4 hrs of TV
12. THE TITLE
The Effect of (the Amount of TV Time)
on the (Number of times the Baby Wakes
Up During the Night).”
Remember, in your experiment, you are
looking to see if the IV has an effect on the
DV
13. EFFECT VS AFFECT
Effect is a noun.
It refers to the outcome of an experiment.
It is ALWAYS used when writing Titles.
Affect is a verb.
It means “to influence or act upon something.”
14. SOME PRACTICE
1. Each group must give each student in the group a specific
number of 1-4.
2. I will put a scenario up on the screen.
3. Each group will discuss the scenario with each other and
identify your variables.
4. I will then call out a student number and a question for you to
answer. That student must write down the answer though the
teammates can help.
5. I will call a team at random and check to see if you got it!
15. SCENARIO 1
Mayor Bloomberg set up an experiment to
see if the amount of sleep affects the
reading scores of 4th graders
16. SCENARIO 2
Justin Bieber beliebes that all of his
tattoos will make girls more attracted to him
He decides to test if the number of
tattoos has an effect on how many girls
approach him over the course of a year.
17. SCENARIO 3
Sidney Crosby set up an experiment to determine if the weight of
a hockey puck has an effect on the speed of his slapshot. He
measured his shot in mph.
18. SCENARIO 4
Dr. Frankenstein set up an experiment to see if the amount of
time student spend on homework each night had an effect on their
Science Regents Score
