Introduction to the Scientific Method
Overview The scientific method is an organized way of solving problems. It has evolved over hundreds of years as man has attempted to develop a systematic approach to problem solving. Before starting your project, you need to understand the scientific method. The process of thinking through possible solutions to a problem and testing each possibility to find the best solution can be summarized into five parts that are identified and discussed below. 1. Purpose - The problem is the scientific question to be solved. It is best expressed as the most important part of a scientific investigation. The question is not merely an information question where the answer is obtained through literature research rather it must lead to experiments in which data is taken to find the answer. It is important to be curious, choose a limited subject, and ask a testable question in which variables can be identified and tested to see the impact of that variable on the original set of conditions 2. Hypothesis - A hypothesis is an idea about the solution to a problem, based on prior knowledge and research. Although the hypothesis is a single statement, it is an important piece to a successful project. All of your project research is done with the goal of expressing a problem, proposing a solution, and designing an experiment. Then all of your experimenting will be done to test the hypothesis. Thus the hypothesis evaluates possible solutions and an explanation of claims supported by information gained through research and observations. 3. Experiment - The process of testing a hypothesis is called experimentation. As you challenge and test your hypothesis through experimentation, it is important to design a controlled experiment. Controlled experiments allow students to set-up standards and then change only one variable at a time to see how that variable might affect the original condition tested as the standard. The set-up that tests the original condition or establishes the standard is called the control group. The control group is the normal set of conditions that produce expected or known results. The set-up in which one variable is manipulated or intentionally changed to determine how it affects the original conditions tested is called the experimental group. The results collected from both groups are then compared. The factors that have an effect on the experiment are called variables. There are three kinds of variables that you need to consider in your experiment: independent, dependent, and controlled. The independent variable (manipulated variable) is the variable you purposely manipulate (change). A controlled experiment tests only one variable at time which is always identified as the independent variable. The dependent variable (responding variable) is the variable that is being observed, which changes in response to the independent variable. The dependent variable must be measurable (quantifiable). The variables that are not changed are called controlled variables.
Scientists describe in detail the methodology used to conduct the experiment, design apparatus, collect data, and make observations. The items, apparatus, and equipment used in an experiment are called materials and the steps scientists follow to carryout the experimental design are called procedures. Materials list and procedures are detailed enough so that other scientists are able to repeat the experimental design by reading the materials and procedures. Considering safety precautions, planning to avoid bias, and taking measures to ensure validly of data, like large sample size and repeated trials, are important parts of an experiment. 4. Results - During experimentation, scientists keep detailed notes of each and every experiment, measurement, and observation. The results of tests completed during experiments are called data. Data is a powerful tool used by scientists to determine relationships between variables, evaluate hypothesis, and construct a conclusion. Data tables and graphs are used to organize and represent measurements taken during an experiment. The independent and dependent variables are recorded and represented in each tool to determine their relationship and identify patterns and trends. Statistical analysis of data collected helps scientists to account for variation of sample population, chance, and inaccuracies in measurement. Mathematical computations such as calculating the mean, calculating the percentage, and determining the frequency (mode, median), helps scientists establish whether there is a significant pattern or relationship. 5. Conclusion – In a conclusion, scientists carefully evaluate their hypothesis based upon the data collected. Statistical analysis of data is a powerful tool used to determine whether the hypothesis has been supported or rejected. Scientists must be specific when formulating their conclusions, providing a brief summary of the results and describing the relationship of one variable to the other observed. Statements made are supported with data collected during experimentation. Scientists also relate their findings to practical applications to society. The process of science is cyclic and perpetuated by peer review. Scientists develop written reports for public scrutiny in which they share their findings by publishing their work in scientific journals or presenting at professional conferences. Thus, scientists pay close attention to details when reporting their findings so others scientists can repeat the experiment and get the same results. In the scientific community, researchers also critique each others work in order to modify and refine scientific explanations. Scientists do not want to make assertions that go beyond the evidence and are open to changing their thinking or explanations. While they are careful to remain neutral, curiosity, honesty, openness, and skepticism are important attributes of scientists. These attributes should be mimicked by you, the researcher, as you conduct your investigations. Examples – Laboratory activities that you complete in class follow the scientific method. Commonly Asked Questions Does the scientific method apply to only solving scientific questions? No, think about a problem that you recently solved and the steps that you took; the steps you took followed the scientific method.
Developing a Statement of Purpose
Overview – Selecting a topic and generating a question from that topic may be the most thought intensive part of a
science and engineering fair project. In this stage, of the project you must choose something that you are interested in and want to learn more about. You should talk to teachers, parents, or media center specialists for ideas. A hobby or curiosity might lead to a good topic. Science books, magazines, the internet, and visiting museums or science facilities are also good starting points for producing topic ideas.
After this has been achieved, the purpose from the topic can start to take form. The purpose of the project simply answers the questions: Why ( e.g. Why am I asking or why do I want to explore a particular question)? You should then narrow your focus down to one or two main questions (from that topic) of interest. After careful research and study, the questions will be modified into the problem statement. As a researcher, you must be able to answer this question through experimentation that produces data and results. The statement of purpose sets the stage for your investigations and includes a description of your topic, identification of your questions, and explanation of your purpose. This is where you will begin to form the problem you are trying to solve. Your problem should be it in a written format explaining the reason for conducting the investigation. Examples Topic: pH (Chemistry-Acids and Bases) Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to find out how hair tensile strength is affected when the pH of the hair has been changed by varying shampoos. Question: How does the pH of various types of shampoo affect the tensile strength of hair? Topic: Pollution and Water Quality (Environmental Science) Purpose: The purpose of this experiment is to test the water quality of various bodies of water using bacterial content as a measure. Question: How does the bacterial content of various bodies of water serve as an accurate determinate of water quality? Commonly Asked Questions What if I can’t find a topic that interests me?
Utilize internet, magazines, textbooks, your family, and/or your teacher as a resource.
Samples of topics and questions are listed in the Appendix A
Statement of Purpose Checklist
Section Title Topic Section Description My topic … • covers a limited subject • is not too broad • is of interest to me or relates to a personal hobby or goal In my purpose statement, I… • explain what prompted my topic selection • identify and describe what I expect to discover or create • explain how the new knowledge will impact the world in which I live My question … • can be answered through experimentation • is not answered through literature research • includes for measurable variables • Completed and attached to report. Student Assessment strongly agree agree disagree
strongly agree agree disagree
Purpose
strongly agree agree disagree Section complete Section incomplete Section missing
Question
Statement of Purpose Approval Form
Categories of Projects
Intel ISEF Categories and Subcategories
The following categories are adapted from the Intel ISEF guidelines for the current 2008-2009 competition. The categories listed below have been established by the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair to better align judges and student projects for the judging at the Intel ISEF. Students should identify and label their project in one of the following categories / subcategories. Use these categories to complete your Statement of Purpose Approval Form. If you select from the list below, the categories listed under each main heading will become your topic.
Animal Sciences Development Ecology Animal Husbandry Pathology Physiology Population Genetics Systematics Other Behavioral & Social Sciences Clinical & Developmental Psychology Cognitive Psychology Physiological Psychology Sociology Other Biochemistry General Biochemistry Metabolism Structural Biochemistry Other Cellular and Molecular Biology Cellular Biology Cellular and Molecular Genetics Immunology Molecular Biology Other
Earth & Planetary Science Climatology, Weather Geochemistry, Mineralogy Paleontology Geophysics Planetary Science Tectonics Other Engineering: Electrical & Mechanical Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering Mechanical Engineering Robotics Thermodynamics, Solar Other Engineering: Materials & Bioengineering Bioengineering Civil Engineering Industrial Engineering, Processing Material Science Other Energy & Transportation Aerospace and Aeronautical Eng. Aerodynamics Alternative Fuels Fossil Fuel Energy Vehicle Development Renewable Energies Other
Mathematical Sciences Algebra Analysis Applied Mathematics Geometry Probability and Statistics Other
Medicine & Health Sciences Disease Diagnosis & Treatment Epidemiology Genetics Molecular Biology of Diseases Physiology and Pathophysiology Other Microbiology Antibiotics, Antimicrobials Bacteriology Microbial Genetics Virology Other Physics and Astronomy Atoms, Molecules, Solids Astronomy Biological Physics Instrumentation and Electronics Magnetics and Particle Physics Optics, Lasers, masers Theoretical Physics, Theoretical or Computational Astronomy Other
Chemistry Analytical Chemistry General Chemistry Inorganic chemistry Organic Chemistry Physical chemistry Other
Environmental Management Bioremediation Ecosystems Management Environmental Engineering Land Resource Management, Recycling, Waste Management Forestry Other
Plant Sciences Agriculture/Agronomy Development Ecology Genetics Photosynthesis Plant Physiology (Molecular, Cellular, Organismal) Plant Systematics, Evolution Other
Computer Science Environmental Sciences Algorithms, Data Bases Air Pollution and Air Quality Artificial Intelligence Soil Contamination and Soil Quality Networking and Communications Water Pollution and Water Quality Computational Sciences, Computer Graphics Software Engineering, Programming Languages Computer System, Operating System Other
Statement of Purpose Approval Form
The ISEF category and subcategory my Science and Engineering Fair Project falls under is
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My Science and Engineering Fair Project Topic has to do with
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The Problem that I will attempt to solve through Scientific Experimentation is
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My Statement of Purpose is
Teacher Comments
Grade level appropriate Approved for experimentation
Instructor’s Signature:
Date: