Hypothesis – a guess as to an answer
to a question
Theory – a hypothesis that is tested to be true
Law – a theory that is proven true over
and over again
The scientific method is a way scientist find facts and solves problems in a systematic way. There are seven steps to the scientific method:
1. State the Problem = define clearly what you want to find out
2. Gather Information = do research; find out all you can
3. Form Hypothesis = make an educated guess as to a possible out come
4. Test = run an experiment to prove yourself right or wrong
5. Record/Analyze = keep accurate
records of all data you collect, then look for ways to
tie it all together
6. Draw Conclusion = based
on your data, were you right or wrong, was there enough
information to base your decision
7. Retest = most important
step, never assume you're right based on one or two tests
When running an experiment, there are a few factors you should have:
1. variables - factors you change
or results from a change
A.
independent variable is a factor that is purposely changed
B.
dependent variable is a factor that changes because you changed
the
independent variable (result from changing another factor)
2. control - this is when you run
the experiment, but you don't change or alter anything;
this is what would happen naturally (why do you need a control in and experiment)
3. constants - things that stay
the same throughout the experiment
When conducting your experiment there are two factors in measurement:
quantitative - based on quantity, involving numbers
qualitative - based on quality or kind