Scientific Process

Learning Objectives
When you have finished this lab, you should be able to do the following things.

1. Describe the six stages of a scientific investigation.

2. Discuss how we make progress when hypotheses are eliminated.
3. Discuss how humanity as a whole benefits from the way scientists learn about the natural
world.
4. Explain how the simple experiment you did online with the Pill Bugs can be compared to the
Coffee experiment in the Pre-lab video.
5. Use the terms observation, hypothesis, prediction, independent variable, dependent variable,
control, results & conclusion correctly.

Introduction to the Scientific Method:

We innately explore, observe, question, and experiment to understand our environment. Children
demonstrate this propensity at an early age by asking endless “why” and “how” questions – the
genesis of a systematic process of logic, thought, and investigation referred to as the scientific
method.

Steps of the Scientific Method

Explore & Observe: You may discover an interesting phenomenon while exploring or observing
your environment.

Ask a Question: After your observation, you may ask a question that investigates why or how the
phenomenon happens. A good scientific question for an experiment is specific and focused. It
defines what you would like to know more about.

Example question: What happens to the height of the plant if the amount of light it receives is
altered?

Conduct Research: Rather than reinventing the wheel, gather as much information as you can
through Internet research, scientific journals, books, and other people. Educate yourself about
facts relevant to your question and how it might be answered.

Form a Hypothesis: State a tentative explanation, a reasonable answer to your question, in a

way that allows it to be tested.

Design and Conduct the Experiment: “Data obtained from a well-designed experiment should
allow researchers to convincingly reject or support a hypothesis. A control for an experiment is a

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subject similar to an experimental subject except that the control is not exposed to the
experimental treatment (Belk & Maier, pg.9)
- Variable: of a test, is any factor that can change a value of data
- Independent Variable: Factor of the experiment being tested or changed.
- Dependent Variable: Result of the change that occurs due to the experimental variable
- Control Group: The group that is not exposed to the experimental variable.

Analyze Data and Form Conclusions: Graphing the data may allow you to see a pattern in your
data or the cause & effect relationship between the Independent and Dependent variables.

Report Results: Share the results of the experiment. Reporting the findings in a clear way gives
other scientists the opportunity to verify your results, which may spark new research or take
someone else’s research in a new direction.

We will illustrate these points using evidence from everyday life.

Chart of the Scientific Method

Chart from sciencebuddies.org

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Exploring the Scientific Method (Virtually) with Pill Bugs

Overview: (Information below is from the McGraw-Hill Connect Resources)

In this simulation, you will use the steps of the scientific method to design a controlled
experiment to determine if pillbugs prefer sand or cornstarch.

Key Concepts :

 The scientific method is a process that involves the formation and testing of
hypotheses.
 The scientific method usually involves at least four main steps:
1. Hypothesis
2. Experiment
3. Analysis
4. Conclusion
 A hypothesis is a formulated statement of predicted behaviors.
 A controlled experiment allows scientists to test hypotheses and to draw
conclusions based on reproducible results.
 A controlled experiment allows comparison between a control group and a test
(experimental) group that has been exposed to an experimental factor (the
variable).
 In the analysis phase, the results of the experiment are examined for agreement
with the hypothesis. Any differences that are observed between the two groups can
be attributed to the effects of the experimental factor.
 The conclusion includes a representation of the results and a discussion regarding
the confirmation or rejection of the original hypothesis.

Before you begin:

 Pillbugs are considered omnivores. They feed on live or decaying plant material,
fungi, and dead animals.
 Pillbugs detect food using a sense similar to smell.
 When a pillbug is attracted to a substance, it will move toward it. This is termed a
positive response.
 When a pillbug is repelled from a substance, it will move away from it. This is
termed a negative response.
 The sand used in the experiment is clean and void of any contamination. It
provides no nutrients but feels like cornstarch.
 Pillbugs are not repelled from sand.
 The cornstarch used in the experiment contains many organic nutrients. It has a

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similar texture and feel to sand.

 A choice chamber has two sides, and there is a channel in the middle that connects
the right and left chambers, allowing the pillbugs to move to either side.

(Taken from the McGraw-Hill Connect Virtual Lab Introduction: Applying the Scientific Method: Pillbug Preference)

For each Lab there will be a Pre-Lab, Lab Activity & a Homework Assignment Due.

They will be on the lab Canvas site or on the McGraw-Hill Connect site.

For the Scientific Process Lab:

 Pre-Lab: is on the Connects site
 Lab Activity: on the Connects site
 Homework: Scientific Validity of Advertisements on the Canvas site

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