<ul><li><a href="#" data-time="4">Demonstrating the Scientific Method with Tree Branches
</a></li></ul>

scientific method

<ol class="note-items"><li data-note-item="1" data-parent-collapse="">Demonstrating the Scientific Method with Tree Branches
<button class="expand">Expand</button><ul class="lab-items"><li data-sub-note-item="1-1"><div class="lab-step">Obtain branches containing a few dozen typical leaves from five different local tree species. The branches should represent a range of leaf and tree types. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-2"><div class="lab-step">Label each branch and leaf with their species name. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-3"><div class="lab-step">Distribute the branches to the students, so that each student has access to all five species. 
</div></li><li data-sub-note-item="1-4"><div class="lab-step">Provide some background information about the environment from which each branch was collected. 
</div></li></ul></li></ol>

<div class="section-question"><h4 class="question-sect">What is the scientific method? </h4><p>The scientific method is a framework for solving problems, investigating the world around us, or describing phenomena.
</p></div><div class="section-question"><h4 class="question-sect">How is the scientific method used? </h4><p>Everyone uses it to solve day-to-day problems, but scientists use it to prove or disprove hypotheses in order to further our understanding of the natural world.
</p></div><div class="section-question"><h4 class="question-sect">What is a hypothesis?</h4><p>A hypothesis is a well-considered suggestion as to the outcome of an experiment. It is always based on prior knowledge about a system. A null hypothesis is one that is thought to be the opposite of true, so it can then be falsified (shown to be false).
</p></div><div class="section-question"><h4 class="question-sect">What is a variable and what are the different types?</h4><p>Controlled or independent variables are under the researcher&#8217;s control and should be held constant between all experimental groups. Dependent or response variables are a way of measuring the outcome of modifying the independent variables.
</p></div><div class="section-question"><h4 class="question-sect">What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?</h4><p>Qualitative data is essentially a list of observations made to describe a system or phenomenon, whereas quantitative data involves the collection of numerical data which can be statistically analyzed.
</p></div>

Scientific Method: Steps and Applications - Prep

Scientific Method

Demonstrating the Scientific Method with Tree Branches
ExpandObtain branches containing a few dozen typical leaves from five different local tree species. ...

Education

JoVE Lab Manual

Biology

Fundamentals

Lab Manual Sub Articles

Take this quiz to test your understanding of the scientific method, including observations, questions, hypotheses, independent and dependent variables, qualitative and quantitative data, controls, and conclusions. Review how experiments and data collection help scientists compare results and reject or support a hypothesis.

The first properly formalized scientific method was coined during the European Renaissance.

A(n) {{slot:dropdown_1}} hypothesis predicts a relationship between the variables being investigated.

Which feature should a good hypothesis have?

The null hypothesis typically predicts that there will be no significant change or difference.

The variable directly manipulated by the experimenter is the {{slot:blank_1}} variable.

What is another name for the dependent variable?

Qualitative data are descriptive observations made with the senses.

Why is a control condition useful in an experiment?

When can a control condition be unnecessary?

Practice: Scientific Method

This assessment quiz covers the steps of the scientific method, including observation, question formation, hypotheses, experimental design, variables, qualitative data, controls, data interpretation, and conclusions. It also applies these ideas to biological examples involving caterpillars, butterflies, leaves, pesticides, smoking, and crop pollination.