Scientific Method Worksheet
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
Class: ____________________________
A. Steps of the Scientific Method
Put the steps in the correct order by writing numbers 1–6.
- _____ Analyze the results
- _____ Form a hypothesis
- _____ Ask a question
- _____ Conduct an experiment
- _____ Make an observation
- _____ Draw a conclusion
B. Match the Terms
Match each term with its definition.
- Observation _____
- Question _____
- Hypothesis _____
- Experiment _____
- Results _____
- Conclusion _____
a. A possible answer that can be tested
b. Information collected during an investigation
c. Something you notice using your senses or tools
d. A test designed to investigate a question
e. A statement explaining what you learned
f. Something you want to find out
C. Choose the Correct Answer
- What should a scientist do first?
a) Draw a conclusion
b) Make an observation
c) Analyze results
d) Write a report - A hypothesis is:
a) A proven fact
b) A testable prediction
c) A final result
d) A scientific tool - What is used to test a hypothesis?
a) An experiment
b) A conclusion
c) An observation
d) A question - What do scientists collect during an experiment?
a) Opinions
b) Results or data
c) Predictions only
d) Conclusions - What comes after conducting an experiment?
a) Ask a question
b) Analyze the results
c) Make an observation
d) Form a new hypothesis - A conclusion should explain:
a) What the experiment showed
b) What equipment was purchased
c) The scientist’s favorite idea
d) A random guess
D. Identify the Scientific Method Step
Write Observation, Question, Hypothesis, Experiment, Results, or Conclusion.
- “Plants near the window seem to grow faster.”
Answer: __________________________ - “Does the amount of sunlight affect plant growth?”
Answer: __________________________ - “If a plant receives more sunlight, then it will grow taller.”
Answer: __________________________ - A student places identical plants in different amounts of sunlight.
Answer: __________________________ - The student records how tall each plant grows.
Answer: __________________________ - The student decides whether the results support the prediction.
Answer: __________________________
E. Complete the Investigation
A student wants to find out whether water temperature affects how quickly sugar dissolves.
- Observation:
- Question:
- Hypothesis:
If the water is ____________________, then the sugar will ____________________. - Experiment:
- Results/Data:
- Conclusion:
F. True or False
- _____ A hypothesis must be testable.
- _____ Scientists always know what the results will be.
- _____ Observations can help scientists develop questions.
- _____ An experiment is used to test a hypothesis.
- _____ Results should be recorded carefully.
- _____ A conclusion should be based on the evidence collected.
- _____ A hypothesis is the same as a guaranteed fact.
- _____ Scientists may repeat an experiment to improve confidence in the results.
G. Challenge Questions
- Why is it important to make observations before asking a scientific question?
- Why should a hypothesis be testable?
- Why is it important to record data during an experiment?
- What should you do if your results do not support your hypothesis?
- Why might scientists repeat an experiment?
H
Create your own scientific investigation.
Question:
Hypothesis:
Experiment:
Expected Results:
Conclusion:
Scientific Method Worksheet – Answer Key
A. Steps of the Scientific Method
- 5 – Analyze the results
- 3 – Form a hypothesis
- 2 – Ask a question
- 4 – Conduct an experiment
- 1 – Make an observation
- 6 – Draw a conclusion
B. Match the Terms
- c – Observation
- f – Question
- a – Hypothesis
- d – Experiment
- b – Results
- e – Conclusion
C. Choose the Correct Answer
- b) Make an observation
- b) A testable prediction
- a) An experiment
- b) Results or data
- b) Analyze the results
- a) What the experiment showed
D. Identify the Scientific Method Step
- Observation
- Question
- Hypothesis
- Experiment
- Results
- Conclusion
E. Complete the Investigation
- Observation: Sugar dissolves at different speeds in water.
- Question: Does water temperature affect how quickly sugar dissolves?
- Hypothesis: If the water is hotter, then the sugar will dissolve faster.
- Experiment: Put the same amount of sugar into containers of water at different temperatures and measure how long it takes to dissolve.
- Results/Data: Record the time it takes for the sugar to dissolve in each temperature of water.
- Conclusion: The results show whether water temperature affects the speed at which sugar dissolves.
F. True or False
- True
- False
- True
- True
- True
- True
- False
- True
G. Challenge Questions
- Observations help scientists notice patterns and develop questions that can be investigated.
- A hypothesis should be testable so an experiment can determine whether the prediction is supported by evidence.
- Recording data allows scientists to analyze the evidence and draw a reliable conclusion.
- Scientists should report the results honestly and use the evidence to revise the hypothesis or conduct further testing.
- Scientists may repeat an experiment to check that the results are consistent and reliable.
E
Answers will vary. Students should include a clear question, testable hypothesis, experiment, expected results, and conclusion.