Scientific Method
Make an observation about something around the room, then form an inference from your observation.
Many correct answers.
What is the difference between a fact and an opinion?
A fact is an objective, verifiable observation.
An opinion is subjective and not verifiable.
Cindy claims that a popular brand of vitamins makes your hair grow faster because Kim Kardashian promoted them on her page.
Is this science?
No. There is no evidence to back up her claim.
What should you do if you break glassware in the lab?
Tell your teacher right away
What is are the independent and dependent variables in the following situation?
"Joseph wants to know what brand of shoes makes athletes run faster. To test this, he gives three groups of athletes Nikes, On Clouds, and Brooks. He then has each group run 3.1 miles and records their time."
IV= Kind of shoes (Nikes, On Clouds, Brooks)
DV= Pace, how fast they run 3.1 miles
What is the goal of a scientific investigation?
To answer a question
What is a scientific law?
A broad concept or principle that describes HOW something happens
James says that the Florida Gulf Coast has increased toxicity in its waters after releases from Lake Okeechobee. He cites published scientific studies as his evidence.
Is this science?
Yes
Closed toed shoes, long pants, shirt with sleeves, lab coat, lab goggles
What is the difference between quantitative and qualitative observations?
A quantitative observation uses numbers to measure something.
A qualitative observation describes qualities.
What is the format for a hypothesis?
If (independent variable), then (dependent variable).
What is a scientific theory?
An explanation of observed phenomenon that explains WHY something happens.
Lucy says that she can dream-walk and travel to other places on Earth when she is sleeping.
Is this science?
No. We can not prove or disprove this claim, so it is not scientific.
What is the proper way to smell a substance in the lab?
Waft it
What is the difference between an independent variable and a dependent variable?
An independent variable is what the experimenter changes. (Cause)
A dependent variable is what the experimenter measures. (Effect)
What are the two lists you need in order to explain your experiment?
Materials and procedures
What is a principle?
A statement based on repeated experimental observation that describes an aspect of the world.
Jim says that his brother gets sick every time he eats pepperoni, so pepperoni must be poisonous to humans.
Is this science?
No. Jim does not have scientific evidence. Anecdotal evidence is not scientific.
What is the proper way to taste something in the lab?
YOU DO NOT EVER
In a graph
What are the experimental and control groups in the following example? What is the constant?
"Alyssa wants to see if food dye can actually change the color of a flower petal. To test this, she gathers two groups of roses from the same bush. She puts one group in regular water and the other group in water with the food dye. She checks the color of the flowers each day."
Experimental: Flowers getting dyed water
Control: Flowers in plain water
Constant: Flowers are from the same bush
What is the difference between a law and a theory?
A law is accepted as fact. It describes how something happens.
Theories never become facts. They explain why something happens.
Is this science?
Yes. We can back up her claims with scientific evidence.
How should someone with long hair look in the lab?
Hair should be pulled back in a ponytail.
Why do we do repeated trials in a scientific investigation?
To ensure results are not due to chance. To eliminate any errors. To ensure your data is precise.