Scientific Inquiry Processes
The two main types of variables that researchers manipulate and measure in an experiment
What are independent and dependent variables?
This term refers to information gathered by using your senses, such as sight, sound, or touch
What is an observation?
This process, often introduced in science classrooms, suggests that discovering answers is simple and step-by-step. However, the truth is that we often need to go back and review (or re-do) earlier steps along the way.
What is the scientific method?
This is the dependent variable (the data that we collected by observing, counting, or measuring) of the experiment that we performed.
What is temperature?
This is a testable statement or prediction about the relationship between two or more variables, often used as a starting point for experimentation.
What is a hypothesis?
A type of scientific investigation that involves monitoring something (such as subjects) in real-world settings without manipulation
What is an observational study?
When scientists draw conclusions based on their observations and prior knowledge, they are making this
What is an inference?
Most people think this is the only place where scientists conduct experiments. In reality, scientists often conduct experiments in various locations outside of this place.
What is a laboratory (or science lab)?
This is the tool that we used to measure temperature in our experiment.
What is a thermometer?
We make these to help explain scientific ideas or concepts in a way that's easier to understand. These are often a simpler version of something that is usually very complicated.
What are models?
The group in an experiment that does not receive the experimental treatment (we typically use this group for comparison)
What is the control group?
"The ground is wet" is an example of this type of statement, as it is based on direct evidence
What is an observation?
Many people think that these are random guesses. In reality, they are "educated guesses" based on prior knowledge, observations, and data. They are also proposed explanations that can be tested by experimentation.
What is a hypothesis?
This is the independent variable (the variable that is manipulated or changed on purpose) of the experiment that we performed.
What is the atmosphere (cotton and plastic wrap)?
This term refers to a fundamental concept in science that explains patterns or events that happen reliably in nature. It often uses mathematics to describe these ideas.
What is a law?
The process by which scientific work is evaluated by other experts in the field before publication
What is peer review?
This type of scientific reasoning begins with a general principle and applies it to a specific case, often leading to an inference
What is deductive reasoning?
Many people think that this is all about following a strict plan, but actually, it often relies on luck and unexpected discoveries.
What is scientific research?
When we were answering the question, "What do you think would happen to life on Earth if Earth had no atmosphere?" before we started our experiment, we were doing this.
What is making a hypothesis?
This term describes a well-supported explanation of a natural phenomenon, derived from a substantial (large) body of evidence.
What is a theory?
The process of interpreting and drawing conclusions from collected data in scientific research
What is data analysis?
This type of reasoning starts with specific observations and leads to a general conclusion
What is inductive reasoning?
Many people believe that this becomes scientific law. The truth is that this and scientific law are two very different things (and that these do not become laws in science).
What is theory?
All of the spheres that we added to our containers (except for the atmosphere), the containers that we used, the thermometers that we used, the lighting that we used, etc., are examples of this type of variable (as we kept all of these the same between A and B).
What are constant (controlled) variables?
This process involves the observation of phenomena (a fact or situation that is observed to exist or happen) and the formulation of a hypothesis based on initial evidence.
What is scientific inquiry?