The Scientific Method
What is the Scientific Method?

A process used to find the answers to
questions we have about the world around
us.
Step 1: State the Purpose

The reason why we are performing the
experiment

THINK: Why are we performing our paper
towel experiment?

To determine if Bounty paper towel is more
absorbent than the leading brand
Step 2: Make a Hypothesis

This is an educated guess as to what the
outcome of your experiment will be.

Written as an IF …THEN…BECAUSE
statement.


THINK: IF I do this experiment, THEN I think (can
measure-DATA) the following change BECAUSE….
EXAMPLE: IF I test 3 different brands of paper towel,
THEN I think that Bounty will absorb the most water
BECAUSE the ads say so.
You Must Identify Your Variables


A variable is any factor that can change in an
experiment.
(IF)
Independent Variable – one thing that the scientist changes to make
the experiment

THINK: What are we changing in our experiment?


(Data)
Dependent Variable - what the scientist measures as a result of the
changes made (will be written as DATA)

THINK: What are we measuring in our experiment?


Brand of paper towel
# of drops each paper towel absorbs
Control Group -The group not directly being tested but is needed for
comparison

THINK: What is the control group in our experiment?

Generic Brand of Paper towel
Step 3: List the Materials

A list of all the tools you will need to carry out
your experiment.
Step 4: Develop a Procedure

Develop the steps for your experiment
including all of the variables.
Step 1 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Step 2 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Step 3 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Step 5: Collect Data

Follow the steps in your procedure and
record your facts, figures, and observations!

Your results can be displayed in a




table,
graph,
drawing,
paragraph, etc.
Step 6: Write a Conclusion

Summarize what was learned from your experiment.

State whether or not your hypothesis was supported or
rejected.

It should also discuss:
 Why the results are important
 What you could do to make the experiment better
 Any sources of experimental error
Step 7: Communicate Your Results

Share your findings in a formal way.

This could be done by:



writing a lab report
creating a poster
giving an oral presentation.
GET READY…
It’s time to use the
Scientific Method!!!