Mr V Calender

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Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Scientific Method Notes

SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Steps of the scientific method

Problem: To determine…
Hypothesis: educated guess.  An if… then… statement
Materials: stuff needed for experiment
Procedure: specific steps
Data: tables and graphs
Conclusion: Did you support or refute your hypothesis?  Any errors?

Characteristics of a reliable experiment:
-          must have a control and experimental group
-          large sample size
-          only one factor being tested
-          more than one trial
-          can be repeated and obtain same results

Controlled experiment


Control group – factor in an experiment that scientist purposely keeps the same.  Used as a comparison

Experimental group - factor in an experiment that scientist changes ( receives the treatment) in order to test it.


Theory – explanations based on evidence
Law  - statement that is always true

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