The Scientific Method and Experimental Design

• ​Has been used since ancient times.

• ​First mentioned in writing by Sir Francis Bacon (great name) around 1600.

• ​Developed so that every scientist could produce results that were repeatable by others questioning their validity.

​- Look around you and observe the natural world!

​- Then question what you see.

​- Why is the sky blue?

​- Why is TROB bald?

​- Why is Tom Brady so good at football?

​- THE FOUNDATION OF SCIENCE IS CURIOSITY!!!

• ​Once you have identified the problem or asked a question you need to do some background research on the subject.

• ​EXAMPLE PROBLEM:

  • ​Do mice grow larger if given vitamin C?

• ​EXAMPLE RESEARCH:

  • ​Learn about what mice need to grow, and vitamin C's effect on growth.

• ​A hypothesis has 3 parts.

  • ​IF

  • ​THEN

  • ​BECAUSE

• ​EXAMPLE:

  • ​If mice are given vitamin C then they will grow larger because vitamin C increases the synthesis of collagen, which is the most abundant protein in the body.

• ​Develop an experiment to test your hypothesis.

• ​NEEDS 3 PARTS:

  • ​INDEPENDENT VARIABLE

    1. ​What YOU are changing

  • ​DEPENDENT VARIABLE

    • ​What you are measuring

  • ​CONSTANTS

    • ​What has to stay the same so you are sure the results are because of the Ind. Var.

​EXAMPLE:

​- Independent Variable: Amount of Vitamin C given to mouse

​- Dependent Variable: Mass of mouse.

• ​Look at the results of your experiment.

• ​Did the results PROVE your hypothesis correct?

• ​If yes.....move on to draw conclusions.

• ​If no.....make a different hypothesis and re-test.

• ​The hypothesis was correct because ........

• ​Should include data/reasons from the experiment that prove your hypothesis correct.

• ​Scientists then report out their findings!

• ​Their findings then undergo whats called PEER REVIEW!!!

​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_tovjfQtxk