Scientific Method
What are the seven basic practices of the scientific method that are all a part of scientific inquiry?
1) Observation
2) Research
3) Hypothesis
4) Experiment
5) Data Collection & Analysis
6) Conclusion
7) Communication of ideas
"Our Really Hyper Elephant Does Cross Country"
In an experiment, what is the dependent variable?
a) The variable that remains constant throughout the experiment
b). The variable manipulated by the experimenter
c). The variable measured in the experiment, dependent on changes to the independent variable
d) The variabl ethat is not relevant to the study?
Answer: C
*The dependent variable (DV) is the one that is measured or observed in an experiment
*The DV depends on changes made to the independent variable (IV)
True or false:
In an experimental design, there is a control group and an experimental group. In the experimental group, the independent variable is changed.
ANSWER: True
Scientific Theories:
a) are facts that may change if new information becomes available
b) are not facts that may change if new information becomes available
c) are usually accepted as true and universal
d) describe the observed pattern without trying to explain it
ANSWER: b, Scientific Theories are not facts that may change if new information becomes available, but are treated as fact until contradicting evidence is found.
A Hypothesis must be:
a) proven correct
b) testable
c) observed
d) experimental
b) testable
True or False:
Data Collection occurs before, during and after an experiment
ANSWER: TRUE
If I add more milk, the tea will become a lighter color.
What are the two variables and which one is the independent variable?
The two variables are:
1) The amount of milk
2) The color of the tea
***The IV is the amount of milk
What is the maximum number of controlled variables that there can be in a scientific experiment?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. There is no maximum
ANSWER: D, there is no maximum
"Experiments often have many controlled variables to make sure that the comparisons being made are meaningful." (pg 7)
What is the goal of Scientific Methods?
a). To bore 6th graders
b). To solve a problem or better understand an observed event
c). To explain whether or a not a hypothesis is correct
d). To report findings in scientific journals
ANSWER: b). To solve a problem or better understand observed events
How does Scientific Law differ from Scientific Theory?
A Scientific Law describes an observed pattern found in nature without explaining it.
A Scientific Theory is the explanation
Scientific Theory does all of the work!
A predicted answer to a scientific question or an educated guess that may explain an observation is called a...
Hypothesis
FUN FACTS:
*A hypothesis guides the experiment
*A scientific hypothesis must be testable (ex: the time it takes ice to melt at different temperatures)
I will feel lazy if I watch too much Tik Tok.
What is the dependent variable?
a) Amount of Tik Tok watched
b). Level of laziness
c) Both A and B
d). None of these
ANSWER: Level of laziness
The dependent variable in this scenario is the level of laziness. This means that the level of laziness is influenced or determined by the amount of Tik Tok watched. What is the Independent Variable?
Data collection during an experiment can often be plotted on a graph. When it comes to independent variables (ID) and dependent variables (DV), which variable is plotted on the x-axis (horizontal) and which variable is plotted on the y-axis (vertical)?
ANSWER:
X-axis, horizontal, independent variable
Y-axis, vertical, dependent variable
"Yo, dude!"
What component of the scientific method uses "If" and "Then" statements?
ANSWER: Hypothesis
Scientific Law:
a). states that a particular event or thing will always occur if certain conditions are met
b). cannot be challenged or disproven
c). are scientifically accepted explanations of why something occurs
d). are experiments in which all conditions except one are held constant
ANSWER:
a). states that a particular event or thing will always occur if certain conditions are met
What is Science?
a). The study of living organisms divided into many specialized fields
b). The study of substances of which matter is composed
c). A systematic way of learning about the world by collecting information
d). The study of nature and the properties of matter and energy
ANSWER: C
Science is a systematic way of learning about the world by collecting information.
Travis Kelce adds extra sugar to make his Gatorade sweeter. Which of these is the dependent variable?
a). Amount of sugar
b). Level of sweetness
c) both A and B
d). None of these
ANSWER: B--level of sweetness
The amount of sugar added is the independent variable, meaning it is manipulated to determine its effect on the level of sweetness. The level of sweetness is the variable that is being measured or observed, and it is dependent on the amount of sugar added. Therefore, the correct answer is "Level of sweetness."
Controlled variables--or things that should not change during an experiment-- are also called:
a) data
b) isotopes
c) experimental groups
d) constants
ANSWER: D, constants
pg 7
Scientific Law:
a) must be tested over and over again, producing the same results
b) can be used to predict the results of future observations
c) can predict events and are expressed in mathematical equations
d) scientifically accepted explanations of why something occurs
ANSWER: C, can predict events and are expressed in mathematical equations
Examples: Law of Conservation of Energy, Newton's Laws of Motion
True or False:
An observation is information you can obtain through your senses
Scientific inquiry BEGINS with observation. Scientists collect information with their senses using smell (wafting), sight, sounds and touch to ask questions
True or False:
Scientists learn something from both valid and invalid hypotheses
ANSWER: True
*Both valid and invalid hypotheses lead to scientific learning.
*In a conclusion, if the data supports the hypothesis, then the hypothesis has been verified (valid). If the data does not support the hypothesis, then the hypothesis has been refuted (invalid).
Taylor Swift is testing the affects of a chemical on her apple orchards, to see which orchard produces the most apples. She sprays one orchard with a chemical. Her second orchard does not receive the chemical. In the fall, the number of apples harvested from each orchard are counted. Which of the following is the independent variable in the experiment?
a) The chemical
b) The number of apples
c) The first orchard
d) The second orchard
a) The Chemical
In order for the apple tree experiment to be valid scientifically, both orchards must receive the same amount of:
Sunlight, water and have the same species of apple trees
True or False:
In a controlled experiment, only one factor is changed at a time
ANSWER: True
*all conditions are held constant
*one factor is changed at a time
A description of a natural event or phenomenon shown to occur again and again under the same conditions is:
a). A controlled experiment
b). A conclusion
c) Scientific Theory
d) Scientific Law
ANSWER: D, Scientific Law
TRUE or FALSE:
Scientists do research on the topic they're investigating throughout the entire scientific inquiry process
ANSWER: True
Why do scientists do research?
*To research what methods others have used in the past
*To look for gaps or errors in prior findings or research
***Also, it is very important that scientists get their information from credible or trustworthy resources!