Scientific Investigation

Scientists must have a systematic way in order to arrive at a valid conclusion. This is sometimes referred to as The Scientific Method but oftentimes it can be conducted in different ways.
The Key Elements are as follows...

Begin by asking a Question that you will answer by doing this experiment.
- Your question must be something that can be answered by completing an experiment.
- consider the following examples:
  - To what extent does the shape of the device picking up circles affect the number of circles picked up?
  - To what extent does the background affect the number of circles picked up?
Develop a Hypothesis.
- What do you think is the answer to the question you asked?
- A hypothesis should be written like the following: "I think __________. I think this because ___________________."
Identify the Variables.
- Which variable will you manipulate or change in your experiment? This is called the Independent Variable.
- What conditions and procedures will you keep the same each time? These are called the Controls or Controlled Variable.
- What characteristics will you be observing or measuring? These are called the Dependent Variables.
Design the Procedures.
- Write detailed instructions to complete your experiment.
- Include...
  - what you will use to pick up the circles.
  - how you will measure the results
  - how many trials
  - how you will collect the data