The scientific method is a research method that involves the question and problem definition, hypothesis formulation, goals, defining variables, collecting data and analysis, discussion, and conclusion.
<h3>What are the steps of the scientific method?</h3>
There are different steps to follow in a scientific method
- Previous knowledge about the study object.
- Definition and problem statement. The question for which there is no answer yet. A question the investigator wants to answer.
- Goal especification. The goal is what the investigator wants to know.
- Hypothesis formulation. The researcher hypothesizes in order to predict what is going on or what is expected to occur.
- Experiment. Different variables influencing the proyect are considered. Data collection and analysis stages. This step involves testing the observations.
- Results
- Discussion and hypothesis verification. This step involves the deriving of the working hypothesis.
- Conclusions.
A hypothesis is a scientific conjecture, not verified, that requires corroboration. It must be objective. Usually, it is written in the present time.
It is a claim of how it works a relationship between two or more variables. There must be a logical relationship between the involved variables.
<h3>What are dependent and independent variables?</h3>When conducting an experiment, we must always consider the involved variables.
- Independent variables are those modified or changed by the researcher to study how this change affects another variable and hence the results. This variable is not affected by any other one but influences or causes a reaction in other variables.
- The dependent variable is the one influenced by the independent variable, and is affected by any change on this last one. Its response might be either directly proportional or inversely proportional to the change in the independent variable.
In the exposed example,
1. <em>Circle and label the question that is going to be investigated</em>.
How can sea turtles orientate into the ocean after hatching, paddle thousands of miles across the North Atlantic, and find their way back years later to the same beach they were born?
2. <em>What is the hypothesis</em>?
Turtles use Earth's magnetic fields and waves to orientate themselves in the water and on the ground.
3. <em>What is the independent variable</em>?
The magnetic field orientation.
4. <em>What is the dependent variable</em>?
Direction in which the turtles swim.
5. <em>What are the constants</em>?
Large glass tank filled with water and total darkness.
6. <em>Describe the data and analysis</em>.
Data,
- Under normal magnetic field, the turtles swam towards the notheast.
- Under reversed magnetic field, the turtles swam toward the southwest.
Analysis,
Turtles follow magnetic north and east, even when the magnetic field orientation is reversed.
7. <em>What is the conclusion</em>?
The hypothesis is accepted. Turtles use Earth's magnetic fields to orientate themselved moving between the magnetic north and east.
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