Scientific Method
What is the first step in the scientific method?
Answer: Identify a problem or ask a question.
Which variable is purposely changed during an experiment?
Answer: Independent variable
A scientific law describes what or why something happens?
Answer: What happens.
What is scientific bias?
Answer: A preference or opinion that affects results or conclusions
What is repetition?
Answer: Repeating trials in an experiment.
A scientist changes the amount of sunlight a plant receives. What is the independent variable?
Answer: The amount of sunlight.
Which variable is measured or observed in an experiment?
Answer: Dependent variable.
A scientific theory explains what or why something happens?
Answer: Why something happens
A student only records results that support their hypothesis. What is this an example of?
Answer: Bias.
Why do scientists repeat experiments?
Answer: To improve reliability and reduce mistakes.
What is the dependent variable in an experiment testing how fertilizer affects plant height?
Answer: Plant height.
Name two controlled variables in an experiment about paper towel absorbency.
Answer: Size of paper towel, amount of water, type of container, etc.
True or False: A theory becomes a law after enough evidence.
Answer: False.
Why is bias harmful in scientific investigations?
Answer: It can make results inaccurate or unfair.
What is replication?
Answer: When another scientist repeats the experiment.
Why is it important to have a control group in an experiment?
Answer: It allows scientists to compare results and see if the independent variable caused the change.
A student tests music’s effect on studying but changes both the music and the lighting. Why is this a problem?
Answer: More than one independent variable was changed
What is the difference between a scientific law and a societal law?
Answer:
A scientist tests a medicine but only includes healthy adults in the study. How could this create bias?
Answer: The results may not apply to all people.
How are repetition and replication different?
Answer:
A student tests one plant in sunlight and one plant in darkness. Name one way to improve the experiment.
Answer: Use more plants, repeat trials, keep water and soil the same, etc.
Identify the variables: “A scientist tests whether different liquids affect seed growth.”
Answer:
Which is an example of a scientific law? A. Theory of Evolution B. Cell Theory C. Law of Gravity D. Germ Theory
Answer: C. Law of Gravity
Give one way scientists can reduce bias in experiments.
Answer:
Why is replication important in science?
Answer: It confirms results are reliable and trustworthy.