Scientific Method
What is the first step in the scientific method?
A. Draw a conclusion
B. Ask a question
C. Conduct an experiment
D. Analyze data
B. Ask a question
In an experiment, the variable that is changed on purpose by the scientist is called the:
A. Controlled variable
B. Dependent variable
C. Independent variable
D. Constant
C. Independent Variable
What is repetition in a scientific experiment?
A. Different scientists doing the same experiment
B. One scientist repeating the same experiment several times
C. Changing the variables in an experiment
D. Publishing experiment results
B. One scientist repeating the same experiment several times
What is the main difference between qualitative and quantitative data?
A. Qualitative data uses numbers, quantitative data uses descriptions.
B. Qualitative data uses descriptions, quantitative data uses numbers and measurements.
C. Both use only numbers.
D. Both use only descriptions.
B. Qualitative data uses descriptions, quantitative data uses numbers and measurements.
Comparing Ice Melting Rates
Students investigate which surface melts ice fastest. One ice cube is much larger than the others.
Why is this a problem?
A. All ice cubes should be the same size
B. Larger ice cubes melt faster every time
C. Surface type no longer matters
D. The experiment becomes more accurate
A. All ice cubes should be the same size
A hypothesis is:
A. A proven fact
B. A scientific law
C. An educated guess that can be tested
D. The results of an experiment
C. An educated guess that can be tested
The dependent variable is:
A. The factor that is measured
B. The factor that is changed
C. The factor that stays the same
D. The hypothesis
A. The factor that is measured
What is replication in science?
A. One scientist repeating an experiment many times
B. Different scientists repeating an experiment to see if they get similar results
C. Recording data carefully
D. Using different equipment
B. Different scientists repeating an experiment to see if they get similar results
During an experiment, a student records that there are 12 earthworms in the soil sample. This is:
A. Qualitative data
B. Quantitative data
C. Opinion data
D. Descriptive data
B. Quantitative data
Basketball Free Throws
Students investigate whether practice improves free-throw accuracy. One student practices every day while another practices only once.
What is the problem?
A. The amount of practice was not kept consistent
B. The basketball changed color
C. Too much data was collected
D. The results are automatically accurate
A. The amount of practice was not kept consistent
Which of the following is a good scientific question?
A. Why is math boring?
B. What is the best color?
C. Does sunlight affect plant growth?
D. Are dogs better than cats?
C. Does sunlight affect plant growth?
What are constants in an experiment?
A. Variables that change
B. Factors kept the same
C. Predictions
D. Conclusions
B. Factors kept the same
Why do scientists repeat experiments?
A. To waste time
B. To make the experiment longer
C. To increase reliability of results
D. To change the hypothesis
C. To increase reliability of results
Which statement describes qualitative data?
A. Data that describes qualities or characteristics
B. Data that uses numbers only
C. Data that can be counted or measured
D. Data collected with rulers
Answer: C. Data that describes qualities or characteristics
A. Data that describes qualities or characteristics
A student tests which shoe provides the best traction but performs one test on dry pavement and another on wet pavement. What is the error?
A. Shoes cannot be tested
B. The independent variable was missing
C. The surface condition was not controlled
D. The student collected data
C. The surface condition was not controlled
Which statement is an example of a hypothesis?
A. Plants need water.
B. The experiment is complete.
C. I observed that the plant grew.
D. If a plant receives more sunlight, then it will grow taller.
D. If a plant receives more sunlight, then it will grow taller.
Researchers want to know if playing video games affects reaction time. Participants play for different amounts of time, and then their reaction times are measured.
Which one is the dependent variable?
A. Amount of time spent playing video games
B. Reaction time
C. Age of participants
D. Type of controller
B. Reaction time
Which statement correctly compares repetition and replication?
A. They mean exactly the same thing.
B. Repetition is done by different scientists, replication by the same scientist.
C. Neither helps scientific investigations.
D. Repetition is repeated trials by the same investigator; replication is repetition by other scientists.
D. Repetition is repeated trials by the same investigator; replication is repetition by other scientists.
Quantitative data is usually:
A. Numbers or measurements
B. Opinions
C. Descriptive words
D. Colors
A. Numbers or measurements
A student performs an experiment only one time and draws a conclusion. Why is this an issue?
A. The experiment was too easy
B. Results may not be reliable
C. Variables were controlled
D. Conclusions should never be made
B. Results may not be reliable
After collecting data, what should a scientist do next?
A. Analyze the data
B. Ask another question immediately
C. Ignore the results
D. Change the experiment
A. Analyze the data
A coffee shop manager wants to know whether the music volume affects how long customers stay in the shop.
What is the independent variable?
A. Length of customer visits
B. Number of customers
C. Music volume
D. Time of day
C. Music volume
Which example shows replication?
A. Measuring temperature every hour
B. Repeating a trial three times in one lab
C. Scientists at another school perform the same experiment
D. Making a graph of data
C. Scientists at another school perform the same experiment
A scientist records that a bird has blue feathers. This is:
A. Quantitative data
B. Qualitative data
C. Measured data
D. Numerical data
B. Qualitative data
A student tests the effect of water on plant growth. All plants receive the same amount of water and sunlight, but different amounts of fertilizer. What is wrong with the experiment?
A. Water is not being tested as the independent variable
B. There are too many plants
C. Fertilizer should never be used
D. Data cannot be collected
A. Water is not being tested as the independent variable