Scientific Method Flowchart

Concept: Illustrate the course of action taken when applying the scientific method.

Purpose: Provide a visual image of the steps or processes taken during a scientific investigation.

Strategy

• Review the process beginning with Define/Identify the Problem.
• Emphasize that scientists do not take actions in a linear sense but rather move ahead in an investigation once they have collected evidence that satisfies their questions.
• Define key terms such as hypothesis and observations.
• Provide examples of how to create and write a hypothesis in the correct form.
• Provide examples of tools (ex., graphs, spreadsheets, etc.) that can be used to organize and analyze data.
• Emphasize the importance of maintaining a science journal and show examples of good science journal entries.
• Discuss the importance of changing one variable at a time when conducting experiments. Emphasize the importance of multiple trials before drawing conclusions.
• Demonstrate how to make general and specific conclusions about an experiment.
• Emphasize the importance of communicating the results and discuss possible audiences.

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1. Define/Identify the Problem
2. Form a Hypothesis
3. Make Observations or Test Hypothesis and Perform Experiments
4. Organize and Analyze Data
5. Do Experiments and Observations Support Hypothesis?
   • If No, Perform New Experiments and Repeat Step 4
6. Draw Conclusions
7. Communicate Results