Scientific Method

Scientific Method 1

100

Describe the Scientific Method in detail.

The Scientific Method is a systematic process by which scientists answer questions about our world.

200

What is an observation? Be as specific as possible.

An observation is something that you notice using your five senses. Example: The candy was brown, and smelled chocolatey, tasted sweet, and sounded crunchy when you bit into it.

300

Give an example of an observation for EACH of the 5 senses.

Answers will vary.

400

After a scientist makes an observation, what is the next step that the scientist follows?

Makes/formulates a question

500

RIGHT before a scientist formulates a hypothesis, what must be done first?

Background research must conducted

Scientific Method 2

100

What is the difference between a hypothesis and a prediction?

A hypothesis is an educated guess in the form of a STATEMENT. Example: The grass is green due to chlorophyll.

A prediction is phrased in an if...then...statement Example: IF there is chlorophyll present, THEN the grass is green.

200

What is this an example of? “If it rains outside, then the plants will grow.”

Prediction

300

What is this an example of? “The grass is green because of the chlorophyll.”

Hypothesis

400

In order to have a proper experiment, what parts MUST a scientist have? (HINT: Think variables, and so on…)

1. Subject

2. Independent Variable

3. Dependent Variable

4. Control Variable

500

List, in order, the steps of the Scientific Method.

1. Observation

2. Formulate a question

3. Do background research and form a hypothesis

4. Experiment

5. Collect and analyze data

6. Make a conclusion and communicate results

Scientific Method 3

100

What are control variables?

Control Variables are those variables that must remain the same.

200

What is an independent variable?

The independent variable is the 1 variable that is changed, or manipulated, in an experiement by the scientist.

300

What is a dependent variable?

The dependent variable is what is being measured in the experiement.

400

What are the subjects in an experiment?

The subject of the experiment is what is being tested.

500

If your results differ from your hypothesis, what should you do?

Conduct the experiment multiple times

Scientific Method 4

100

What is a synonym for “data?”

Information

200

True of False, then explain:

• When a scientist makes a conclusion, it is 100% proven to be correct.

FALSE- Mostly everything in science can never be 100% proven, since new discoveries are always being made.

300

• Name 2 ways scientist RECORD data.

1. writing a paragraph

2. drawing a table, chart, or graph

400

• Read the following example and determine 1. Subjects, 2. Independent variable, 3. Dependent variable, and 4. Control variables:
• A scientist wants to determine whether exposing a plant to more sunlight will impact the growth of roses.  She places one rose bush in the sun for 6 hours a day, and the other rose bush in the sun for 3 hours a day. She records the growth daily, for 4 months. She makes sure the type of soil and amount to water remain constant.

1. Subjects-Plants

2. IV - Amount of sunlight

3. DV-How tall the roses grow

4. Control Variables-type of soil and amount of water

500

1. After a scientist makes a conclusion, what should the scientist do?

2. Name 2 ways of completing the step above.

1. Communicate results

2. Discussion  and write a lab report

Scientific Method 5

100

TRUE OR FALSE: The following statement is an example of an observation:

M&Ms are different colors because of food dye.

FALSE - OBSERVATION

200

TRUE OR FALSE: The following statement is an obervation:

The cookies smell sweet.

TRUE - OBSERVATION

300

TRUE OR FALSE:

The Independent Variable is the 1 thing or factor that the scientist changes.

TRUE!!

400

TRUE OR FALSE:

There can only be 1 Control Variable

FALSE - In any given experiment, there will be MANY control variables.

500

Explain what a control variable is, and give an example.

Descriptions will vary.