Unit 1 Scientific Method

Reference: IB Course Copmpanion

Study and
Practice

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE
Use the Scientific Method
All well designed experiments contain the following: a research question, one independent variable, a
dependent variable, and several constants
The research question describes what you are investigating and usually takes the form of What is the
effect of IV on DV?
The independent variable (IV) is the only variable which you are changing. The dependent variable (DV) is
the variable that you are measuring (it changes because of what you changed)
All other variables that might affect the outcome (except the IV and DV) are kept constant.
The Hypothesis is an educated guess including rationale at the result of an experiment
The Procedure describes, step by step, how to carry out the experiment
The Data is a record of what you changed, what changed in response to what you changed, and should be
recorded in a table with labels and units of measure
The Analysis is any manipulation of the data collected and should be clear and easy to follow analysis
could include calculating new quantities, making graphs, and/or comparing values to known expected
values. A graph always takes the same form: the variable plotted on the vertical (y) axis is the dependent
variable and the variable plotted on the horizontal (x) axis is the independent variable. Graphs must have
titles, the axes must be labeled (including units of measure) and the graph should fill the entire page

Another Direct Relationship:

DV = slope*IV + constant

15

DV (unit of measure)

DV (unit of measure)

A Direct Relationship:
DV = slope*IV + constant

10
5
0
0

15
10
5
0

IV (unit of measure)

DV (unit of measure)

DV (unit of measure)

4
3
2
1
0
4

IV (unit of measure)

An Inverse Relationship:
DV = constant/IV

IV (unit of measure)

Independent Relationship:
DV = constant

10
8
6
4
2
0
0

IV (unit of measure)

The Conclusion describes what you have found out about the variables under investigation and it should
contain a rationale for your results, including a description (it could be a calculation) of any error present
in your experiment and a discussion of ways to improve the results.

See the
study guide
for more
information