Ascience project is an investigation using the scientific method to discover theanswer to a scientific problem. The scientific method involves the followingsteps: doing
research, identifying the problem, stating a
hypothesis,conducting project experimentation, and reaching a conclusion.ResearchResearch is the process of collecting information from your own experiences, knowledgeablesources, and data from exploratory experiments. Your first research is used toselect a project topic. This is called topic research.Afteryou have selected a topic, you begin what is called project research. This isresearch to help you understand the topic, express a problem, propose ahypothesis, and design one or more project experiments—experiments designed totest the hypothesis. Do usemany references from printed sources—books, journals, magazines, and newspapers-as well as electronic sources- computer software and online services.Dogather information from professionals—instructors, librarians, and scientists,such as physicians and veterinarians.Do perform other exploratory
experiment related to your topic. ProblemThe problem is the scientific question to be solved. It is best expressed as an"open-ended" question, which is a question that is answered with astatement, not just a yes or a no. Do limityour problem. Note that the previous question is about one life process of molds-reproduction; one type of mold- bread mold; one type of bread-white bread; andone factor that affects its growth-
light. To find the answer to a question suchas "How does light affect molds?" would require that you testdifferent life processes and an extensive variety of molds.Dochoose a problem that can be solved experimentally. For example, the question"What is a mold?" can be answered by finding the definition of theword mold in the dictionary. But, "At room temperature, what is thegrowth rate of bread mold on white bread?" is a question that can beanswered by experimentation.Hypothesis A hypothesis is an idea about the solution to a problem, based on knowledge and research. While the hypothesis is a single statement, it is the key to a successful project. All of your project research is done with the goal of expressing a problem, proposing an answer to it (the hypothesis), and designing project experimentation. Then all of your project experimenting will be performed to test the hypothesis. The hypothesis should make a claim about how two factors relate. Do statefacts from past experiences or observations on which you base your hypothesis.Do writedown your hypothesis before beginning the project experimentation.Don'tchange your hypothesis even if experimentation does not support it. If timepermits, repeat or redesign the experiment to confirm your
results.Project ExperimentationProject experimentation is the process of testing a hypothesis. The things thathave an effect on the experiment are called
variables. There are three kinds ofvariables that you need to identify in your experiments: independent,dependent, and controlled. Theindependent
Variable is the variable you purposely manipulate (change). Thedependent variable is the variable that is being observed, which changes inresponse to the independent variable. The variables that are not changed arecalled controlled variables. In a control, all variables are identical to theexperimental setup—your original setup—except for the independent variable.Factors that are identical in both the experimental setup and the control setupare the controlled variables. Theother variables for the experimental and control setup, such as theenvironmental conditions for the room (temperature and humidity). Notethat when designing the procedure of your project experiment, you must include stepsfor measuring the results. Also, as it is best to perform the experiment morethan once, it is also good to have more than one control. You might have onecontrol for every experimental setup.Do haveonly one independent variable during an experiment.Dorepeat the experiment more than once to verify your results.Do havea control.Do havemore than one control, with each being identical.Doorganize data. (See .Project ConclusionThe project conclusion is a summary of the results of the projectexperimentation and a statement of how the results relate to the hypothesis.Reasons for experimental results that are contrary to the hypothesis areincluded. If applicable, the conclusion can end by giving ideas for furthertesting.Ifyour results do not support your hypothesis:DON'Tchange your hypothesis.DON'Tleave out experimental results that do not support your hypothesis.DO givepossible reasons for the difference between your hypothesis and theexperimental results.DO giveways that you can experiment further to find a solution.Ifyour results support your hypothesis:Youmight say, for example, "As stated in my hypothesis, I believe that lightis not necessary during the germination of bean seeds. My experimentationsupports the idea that bean seeds will germinate without light. After sevendays, the seeds tested were seen growing in full light and in no light. It ispossible that some light reached the 'no light' containers that were placed ina dark closet. If I were to improve on this experiment, I would place the 'nolight' containers in a light-proof box and/or wrap them in light-proofmaterial, such as aluminum foil.
More abstracts about the A Very Easy Scientific Method For New Searchers