Name:

Date:
The Scientific Method Reading Passage

THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD

The scientific method is a five-step systematic procedure
that directs how to conduct a
scientific investigation. Specifically, it directs how to test a question,
make observations,
collect data and form a conclusion. The scientific method is
important because it directs
how to generate evidence upon which we build scient
ific knowledge.

The first step of the scientific method is

to ask a question. The question must be testab
le.
This the question can be answered through an investigatio
means
n, is specific and
observable. The second step is to form a hypothesis. A hypoth
esis is an educated guess
that answers the question. It is not a random guess
but rather a thoug
htful and
prediction. It is based on research, previous experiments and
intellectual
your previous
knowledge. The third step is to perform a controlled experiment to answer the
testable
question. In a controlled experiment, only one variable or factor is
changed. By changing
only one variable, you are able to determine how one specific factor has
an effect on a
different factor. When performing a controlled experiment, you set
up groups to receive
different conditions. How you set up and conduct your experiment should
be recorded in
a clear and logical way so that someo
ne else could replicate your experiment exactl
y. The
fourth step is to record observations as well as collect data
during the experiment. Once
the experiment is complete, you should organize
the data in tables or graphs and analyze
the data to determine what actually happened in the
experiment. The last step of the
scientific method is to form a conclusion. A conclusion states
the results of your
experiment. It is based on the data collected during the experi
ment this data is -

evidence. It provides an answer to the question and discusses whether the results
support or refute your hypothesis. The conclusion also explains
mistakes in the
experiment and suggests how the experiment could be perfo
rmed better.

Questions
1. What is the scientific method?
2. What is a hypothesis?
3. Summarize the five steps of the scientific method.
4. Why is it important to change only one factor (variable) in a controlled experiment?
5. Do you think an experiment that refutes a hypothesis is "bad?" Justify your answer.

Stephanie Elkowitz
 Name:
Date:
The Scientific Method Answer Sheet

Questions
1. What is the scientific method?

2. What is a hypothesis?

3. Summarize the five steps of the scientific method.

4. Why is it important to change only one factor (variable) in a contr

olled experiment?

5. Do you think an experiment that refutes a hypothesis is "bad

?" Justify your answer.

Stephanie Elkowitz
 SCIENTIFIC METHOD
WHAT IS IT?
The scientific method is a method of research in which
a problem is identified, data is gathe
red, a hypothesis
is made from this data, and the hypothesis
is tested.
In other words, the scientific method is a way for
scientists to study and learn different things. Using
the scientific method, scientists can come up with
answers to questions.

HISTORY
The scientific method was not created by one person,
but developed by different scientists and philosophers
over time. Somepeople still debate the best way to
implement the scientific method. Isaac Newton, Francis
Bacon, and Rene Descartes all contributed to the
development of the method to learn about science and
nature. They wrote papers discussing how to use
experiments and change variables to determine if a
guess, or hypothesis, was right.

STEP #1: OBSERVE

The first step of the scientific method is to make an
observation. Identify a problem or ask a question about
something that is going on.

STEP #2: QUESTION

The second step of the scientific method is to com
e up
with a question based on observations. Without a question,
there can be no answer.

STEP #3: HYPOTHESIS

In step three, make an educated guess, or
hypothesis. This is a potential answer to a
question that can be tested. To make a
hypothesis, research should be done to make
sure your hypothesis is practical.

Teaching to the Middle

 STEP #4: DESIGN
G
Instep four, design an experiment that willtest the question
you are asking. The experiment should be set up carefully.
A
good experiment always has at least one variable, or factor
being tested. Experiments should also have a control, meaning
everything is set up the same, but the variable is missing.

STEP #5: EXPERIMENT

In step 5, carry out the experiment. Results
should be recorded and observations made.
Make sure experiments are based on fact
instead of emotion or opinion. Sometimes
multiple experiments are carried out before
conclusion can be made.

STEP #6: RESULTS

In this step, the results are gathered and anal
yzed.
Data is offen organized in a charts, graphs, diagrams
,
or summaries to share the results.

STEP #7: CONCLUSION

In step 7, it is determined whether a hypothesis was
proven ordisproven. A conclusion is drawn and
presented. A theory, a logical explanation for
events,
may be developed after a conclusion is form
ed. If a
theory is tested several times, it can be become a law,
a theory accepted as true. Laws can still be
changed
though by other experiments.
IMPORTANCE
The scientific method is vital to modern science to
provide a formal method to determine questions and
their answers. Without it, much of the science and
knowledge may have not been discovered.

THINK ABOUT IT...

What are some topics you want to
further investigate?

Teaching to the Middle