The Scientific Method : 7 Steps, Worksheet, & Examples

Grade 7 Science Worksheets

The seven steps of the Scientific Method are:

1. Make an Observation
2. Ask a Question
3. Conduct Research
4. Form a Hypothesis
5. Conduct Experiment
6. Analyze Data
7. Report Conclusions

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Scientific Method Worksheet 7th Grade Free PDF

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The Scientific Method – Definition

The scientific method is used in scientific inquiry by scientists to answer questions and solve problems. It involves a series of steps that help them to investigate, experiment, and draw conclusions based on evidence. The scientific method is not just for scientists, anyone can use it in their everyday lives to solve problems and answer questions.

Steps of the Scientific Method – Diagram:

Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method#/media/File:The_Scientific_Method.svg

7 Steps of The Scientific Method – Explained with Example

Now let us understand the seven steps of the Scientific Method using the example of a potted house plant.

Step 1: Make an Observation

When you notice something interesting, you can say an Observation is Made. Scientific Observations trigger curiousity and interest to know more.

Example:

You got a potted house plant for your study table. You watered it every day, but it died.

Now you want to know more so that when you get a plant again, you can take care of it better.

Step 2: Ask a Question

When an interesting observation is made, you wonder why what you observed happened.

In the scientific method, you decide to find out the answer to this questions through research and experiments.

Example:

Why did the plant die, even though it was watered frequently.

Step 3: Conduct Research

Now you want to understand the topic better.

Maybe this topic was researched by someone before, and the answers are available in a book, video, or scientific article. So you first look for available information on the topic for the inquiry process.

Example:

After reading and talking to experts, you learn that potted house plants could die mainly due to 2 reasons:

Not getting enough water
Getting too much water

Step 4: Form a Hypothesis

A ‘hypothesis’ is an educated guess or a possible explanation.

Once you have a hypothesis, you can then design an experiment to test it and see if your prediction is correct or not.

Example:

You know that you watered the plant very well. The soil in your pot was never dry.

So your educated guess is that the plant died due to getting too much water.

Step 5: Plan & Conduct Experient

Conducting an experiment is the most difficult step in the Scientific Method. It is a way to test a hypothesis and gather evidence to support or disprove it. It is also a highly exciting process that students get to experience in school laboratories.

First, you have the hypothesis ready.

Next, you need to design the experiment. This means figuring out what materials and equipment you will need, what procedures you will follow, and how you will measure your results.
Then you conduct the experiment. This involves following your procedures carefully, making observations, and recording your results.
Independent variable – A factor that is changed during a scientific experiment
Dependent variable – A factor being tested or measured during an experiment
Controlled variable – A factor that is kept the same during a scientific experiment

Example:

Your hypothesis: Your plant died because of too much watering
Design the experiment: You will get two plants and water them differently till one of them dies
Materials and equipment needed: Two similar potted plants, name cards written with A and B, and a notebook
Experiment: Water plant A like you did with your original dead house plant. Water B with half that amount.
Record Data: During the experiment, record the daily observations on a notebook. You can make a table with two columns for Plant A and Plant B. Note down different factors – date, volume of water given, leaf and stem strength, leaf colour
Independent variable – Amount of water suplied to each plant
Dependent variable – Colour and strenth of leaves
Controlled variable – Type and size of plants, pot, sunlight, soil quantity

Step 6: Analyze Data

In this stage, data collected during the experiment is anlaysed. The goal is to know whether the data proves the hypothesis or disproves it. This involves:

Explaining the data gathered from the experiment.
Observations, information and data are collected from the experiment.
Use of pictorial representation via charts, graphs, averages, percentages, etc.

(learn more about analyzing and representation of data from our math tutors.)

Example:

The data collected show that Plant A and B were healthy at the start of teh experiement.

It shows that Plant A, which received more water, started becoming unhealthy by week 2 – its leaves changed colour, its stem became weak.

Step 7: Report Conclusions

A report is created at the end of the experiement. It will have data, conclusions, and diagrams. It is presented to an authority on the topic for review

The report should say:

Is the data and mesaurement correct? What are the possible sources of error?
Does the data (answer) support the hypothesis? Why or why not?

If the data does not prove or disprove the hypothesis, a new experiemnt needs to be designed and conducted. Sometimes, new factors of the same problem can be researched and studied

Example:

Conclusion:

Plant A, which received the same water as the original potted plant, died. Plant B, which received less water than Plant A, survived.

This supports the hypothesis that the original potted plant died due to over-watering.

The experiment is successfully concluded

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Practical Applications of the Scientific Method

Here are some practical uses of the scientific method:

Solving problems: Scientists use scientific method to systematically solve problems in the world around us. For example, if a scientist wants to find a way to clean up pollution in a river, they might use the scientific method to design experiments and test different solutions until they find one that works.

(Now we know how scientific method helps to solve problems around us. Also learn how math tutoring helps in solving math problems)

Exploring the unknown: Scientists also use the scientific method to explore and discover new things. For example, if a scientist wants to study a new type of plant, they might use the scientific method to observe and collect data about the plant’s growth and behavior, and then use that data to draw conclusions about the plant’s characteristics.

Improving technology: The scientific method is also used to develop and improve technology. For example, if a scientist wants to develop a new type of solar panel, they might use the scientific method to experiment with different materials and designs until they find one that produces the most energy.

Understanding natural phenomena: The scientific method is used to better understand the natural world around us. For example, if a scientist wants to understand why hurricanes form, they might use the scientific method to collect data and test different theories until they find one that explains the phenomenon.

Overall, the scientific method is a powerful tool that helps scientists to ask questions, gather evidence, and draw conclusions based on facts and evidence. It helps us to better understand the world around us and solve complex problems that affect our daily lives.

Scientific Method Example

The Steps of the Scientific Method are used as an ongoing process to make new discoveries. Thomas Edison’s team tested 6000+ materials before identifying one that can be used to make cheap long lasting light bulbs.

The team repeated the scientific method 6000+ times with different materials for this invention. Scientists still use this method today to make new discoveries and inventions!

Reference: https://historyengine.richmond.edu/episodes/view/5609

Practice Problems

1. What are Independent Variables?

2. What are Dependent Variables?

3. What are controlled variables?

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Scientific Method?

The Scientific Method is a 7-step observation and evidence based method to understand the world and invent new things. The seven steps of the Scientific Method are:

1. Make an Observation
2. Ask a Question
3. Conduct Research
4. Form a Hypothesis
5. Conduct Experiment
6. Analyze Data
7. Report Conclusions

What is 'forming a question'?

Based on your observations, develop a problem statement that can be solved by the process of experimenting. Usually a “How’ or “Why” question?

How to test your hypothesis?

Hypothesis is tested using scientific experiments. A set of repetitive methods is developed to conduct the experiment. The main aim is to test our hypothesis by collecting the facts and data. Includes variables – a measuring quantity that is used or changed during the experiment.

What are the types of variables used in the experiment?

Independent variable and dependent variable.

How will you analyze data?

Observations, information and data are collected from the experiment. Organize the data and show with the calculations. Explain the data gathered from the experiment. Use of pictorial representation via charts, graphs, averages, and percentages

Kathleen Currence (Author)

Former School Principal

Kathleen Currence is one of the founders of eTutorWorld. Previously a middle school principal in Kansas City School District, she has an MA in Education from the University of Dayton, Ohio. She is a prolific writer, and likes to explain Science topics is student-friendly language. LinkedIn Profile

References

https://historyengine.richmond.edu/episodes/view/5609
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientific_method#/media/File:The_Scientific_Method.svg

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