Scientific Method
What is the definition of an observation?
What are the independent and dependent variables?
Independent variable: what you change
Dependent variable: what you measure
True or False: Your hypothesis statement must be correct for your experiment to be considered a successful one.
FALSE!
True or false?
Quantitative observations are better than qualitative?
False! We use them both
True or False: You can test multiple independent variables at a time as long as you stay organized.
False!
What is the definition of an inference?
An assumption you make based on prior knowledge, experiences, and observations.
Why must you have constants?
so that you know the effects of the one thing you are testing and not some other factor
Testable question or hypothesis statement?: If I use 200mL of water, then the the plant will grow tallest when compared to 100mL or 300 mL.
Hypothesis
What kind of data (qualitative or quantitative) did we collect during the Sticky Water Lab?
Quanititative
Monique wants to know what hair cream makes her curls stay the longest so she goes to the store and asks the cashier what her recommendations are. What step of the scientific method is this an example of?
Research
Kenny notices his dog prefers milkbones to beef treats. What kind of observation is this?
Identify the control group in the scenario:
Andrea wants to know which type of running shoe makes her run the fastest. She tests 3 shoes: Adidas, Nikes, and Brooks. She measures how fast she can run one lap on the track.
No shoes
Is "What is the best way to study?" a testable question? Why or why not?
Not a testable question: how are we classifying "best"? Time, efficiency, balance, etc?
If the temperature of a cup of water was raised, then it will increase the amount of salt that dissolves.
What is the dependent variable?
What step of the scientific method is this?
1. Amount of water that dissolves
2. Hypothesis
Rob notices his cat went for the mouse toy more than the feather toy. He wonders what other toys his cat likes.
Making an observation/asking a question
What would be an inference for observing your dog wagging its' tail?
It is happy
Smith wants to know how different tires affect the braking distance on a car. What are the IV, DV, and Constants?
IV: different tires
DV: breaking distance
Constants: same car, same path/road, same tire pressure/rotation
Write a testable question for the following:
Sandra wants to test how much sunlight makes a plant grow the most tomatoes.
How does the amount of sunlight affect the amount of tomatoes a plant can grow?
List all 6 steps to the scientific method (they can be in any order)
Ask a question, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Analyze Data, Share Results
Why must procedures be super detailed?
Your experiment needs to be able to be replicated by other scientists.
Write an inference for the following observation. You CANNOT say it rained:
The grass is wet
Answers may vary
Squidward wants to know how a new muscle cream affects the amount of weight Patrick and Spongebob can lift. Patrick is given the new cream and Spongebob is given regular lotion. The weights they each lifted were recorded.
What is the IV, DV, Control, Constants, Testable Question, and Hypothesis Statement? You must get all of them to get the points!!
IV: lotion
DV: amount of weight lifted
Control: Spongebob (regular lotion)
Constants: same amount of lotion, same style of weights, same amount of rest/caffeine, same breakfast
Testable Question: How does this new muscle lotion affect how many weights you can lift?
Hypothesis: If they use the muscle lotion, then they will be able to lift more weights.
Why do we use the if/then format for hypothesis statements?
FOR DOUBLE POINTS!!!!
Joseph wants to test which dishwasher pod brand (Cascade or Finish) makes his pans the shiniest. What is the IV, DV, Control, Constants, Hypothesis, AND write out a procedure.
IV: dishwasher pod brand
DV: how shiny
Constants: same pan, same dishwasher, same dirtiness
Control: not putting it in the dishwasher
Hypothesis: If I use Cascade, then it will make the pan shinier than Finish
Procedure: Answers will vary