How to remember the 7 steps of the scientific method

Simple mnemonic (with a picture!) to help students remember the steps of the scientific method.

1. How to remember the 7 Steps of the Scientific Method “ P eople R eally H ate E lephants O n C ompact C ars.” The picture will help you remember the steps!

2. How to remember the 7 Steps of the Scientific Method   P roblem – The “thing” that you want to know. The question you want to answer. R esearch - Information about the problem. What is already known? H ypothesis - Educated guess, or prediction of the outcome of the experiment . This guess can be tested by performing an experiment. 4. E xperiment - Tests the hypothesis. 5 . O bservations - Data you collect during the experiment. 6. C onclusions - Determine if the hypothesis is correct or not. 7 . C ommunicate - Present your results in a talk or a paper. “ P eople R eally H ate E lephants O n C ompact C ars.”

3. Example of the Seven Steps Problem: Do mice grow larger if given Vitamin C? Research: Learn about mice, their diet and vitamin C. Hypothesis: If mice are given vitamin C then they will grow larger Experiment: Two groups of mice – one gets vitamin C, one does not Observation: Weigh mice after 2 weeks – both groups are the same size Conclusion: Hypothesis is not correct (rejected) Communicate: Present your results

4. Identify the variables Manipulated or Independent Variable (IV)? G et Vitamin C or no Vitamin C Responding or Dependent Variable (DV)? Weight of mice Control Group-treated “normally” Mice with no Vitamin C Experimental Group (IV is changed for this group ) Mice with Vitamin C Constants (controlled variables) Same mice (genetically identical), same food (except for Vitamin C), same weight scale, same cage conditions, same time frame.. Conclusion Accept or Reject the Hypothesis