Scientific Method
The scientific term for a testable prediction
hypothesis
How we test a hypothesis
With an experiment
Ellie conducts an investigation to determine if size or weight affect how fast
objects fall. Her investigation includes repeatedly dropping a basketball and
a golf ball at the same time. After many trials, she determines that both balls
land at the exact same time.
Why would Ellie's investigation be valid?
It is based on evidence.
Scientists make sense of the observations they made during an experiment by ______ them.
analyzing
You might have a burning question, but it's likely that your question has already been answered by someone else. You should do this before you decide to run an experiment.
Do research
The first step in the Scientific Method
ask a question
scientific law
A good hypothesis is one that can be _____ through an experiment.
tested
If your experiments conclusion ____ your hypothesis, your hypothesis is found to be correct.
supported
This is the variable that you measure in an experiment.
The dependent variable
An experiment involves at least two groups. In one group, called the _____ group, nothing changes.
control
Which of the following questions could be answered by a scientific investigation?
What color is the best to paint with?
What animal makes a good pet?
What is the best flavor of soft drink?
What causes some metals to rust?
What causes some metals to rust?
Manipulating this variable leads to a change in the variable to be measured, the dependent variable.
independent variable
You might _____ your hypothesis if your experiment disproved it.
reject
The independent variable
The ______ variable changes because the independent variable was manipulated.
dependent
A ______ is often written as an if ______ then ______ statement.
hypothesis
This term refers to the ability for ANYONE, ANYWHERE, to redo your experiment
replicate/replicable
Your experiment needs these two things to run. Both things start with the letter "m."
methods and materials
Science is designed to be shared. This is one way that scientists share what they learned with the world.
Writing up a report
This is where you provide the steps of your experiment
procedures
In the 1600s, a scientist developed a recipe for making mice. His recipe called for placing a dirty shirt or some rags in an open pot along with a few grains of wheat. In 21 days, he says mice will appear! What was this scientist doing?
Making a prediction
When we talk about hypotheses, we think about one variable as the "cause" and another variable as the "effect." What variable is the "cause" and what variable is the "effect" in a hypothesis?
The independent variable is the "cause" and the dependent variable is the "effect."
You might be excited about your experiment's results/findings, but they have a long way to go before they become law. Other scientists may try to _____ your experiment to test if your results hold up.
Copy/repeat