Problem

• Ask a question about something observed.

• Why?

• How?

• What?

• Question to be solved.

• Must be about something measurable.

2. Research:

• Gather information. Write a summary about what you already know or have learned about your topic

3. Hypothesis

• Educated guess about how things work.

• Prediction

• Use If, then statements

• If ____ [I do this], then _____ [this will happen]

• Focus on one variable only.

4. Materials: 

• List every item that is needed to do the experiment. Include equipment as well as materials.

5. Safety: 

• Write all of the safety precautions to be taken.

6. Experiment (List a step-by-step procedure for conducting your experiment)

• Tests your hypothesis.

• Is it accepted (right) or rejected (wrong) ?

• Change only one variable at a time.

• Use a control or control group

• (A group that has nothing done to it. Standard used for comparison in an experiment.)

• In order for results to be valid, conduct several tests.

7. Observed Results: 

• Use a data table to record your information. 

• A complete record of your observations and/or results. 

• Note any accidents, mistakes, unusual or unexpected observations and additional information which surfaces.

8. Conclusion

• Use the data from your results and make an appropriate graph – pie, bar, OR line graph to represent you final results. 

• Summary of your experiment:

o After your experiment, analyze your data to see if your hypothesis was accepted or rejected.

o If hypothesis is rejected, give possible reasons for the difference between your hypothesis and the experimental results.

o Then, note any additional comments, explanations of why the results did or did not match your hypothesis. Also note any information that you learned from your research.