Observations vs Inferences
Testable Questions
Hypotheses
Variables
100
Information gathered from your 5 senses.
What is an observation?
100
Can be answered by doing an experiment.
What is a testable question?
100
A possible explanation or answer to the testable question.
What is a hypothesis?
100
The thing that is changed on purpose by the scientist.
What is the independent variable?
200
A conclusion based on your observations and previous knowledge.
What is an inference?
200
Write 1 of the 4 testable question sentence stems.
1- Does changing ___ affect ____? 2- How does changing ____ affect ____? 3- If I change ____ will it effect ____? 4- What is the effect of ____ on ____?
200
What three words need to be included in a good hypothesis.
If, then, because
200
The thing that is measured or observed in the investigation.
What is the dependent variable?
300
Observation or Inference? There are 35 posters hanging on the walls of the classroom.
Observation
300
Is the following a testable question? "Why do fingers wrinkle in the water?"
No, this is a research question.
300
What is the format for writing a good hypothesis.
If IV, then DV, because EXPLANATION.
300
The things that are kept the same to ensure a fair test.
What are constants?
400
Observation or Inference? It took the teacher a long time to set up the classroom before school started.
Inference
400
Use the following observation to write a testable question. "My phone battery drains faster when I have lots of apps open."
Answers may vary. Example: Does changing the amount of apps left open on a phone affect the length of battery life?
400
Write a hypothesis based on the following testable question. "Does changing the amount of time I brush my teeth affect the number of cavities I get?"
If a person spends more time brushing their teeth, then they will have fewer cavities because they are getting rid of the plaque and germs that cause cavities.
400
Identify the IV and DV in the following statement: "Students who eat breakfast get better grades in school."
IV: Eating breakfast DV: Grades
500
Write an inference about the following observation: A person is laying on the ground next to a "Caution, Wet Floor" sign.
Example: The person slipped and fell.
500
"When he was watering his plants one morning, Jorge observed that one of them had a fungus growing along with it in the same pot. He did not notice the fungus the day before." What question can he ask about this observation that can lead him to a hypothesis. A) Do fungi grow rapidly? B) Are some fungi parasitic? C) What does the fungus's spores look like? D) How much water does the fungus need?
A) Do fungi grow rapidly?
500
Write a hypothesis based on the following testable question. "How does changing the brand of energy drink affect how long a person can stay awake?"
Answers may vary. Example: If a rockstar is drank, then the person will stay awake the longest because it has the most caffeine.
500
Identify the IV, DV, and two constants in the following scenario: "Leticia wants to know how fast apple slices will turn brown after being soaked in different preservatives, such as lemon juice, fruit freshener, and Sprite."
IV: preservative DV: speed that apples turn brown Constants: same kind and size of apple slice, same amount of preservative, same time soaked in preservative
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