Scientific Method
This step comes first and involves using your five senses to notice something in the world.
Observation
CER stands for these three components used to write scientific explanations.
Claim, Explain, Reasoning
The single factor in an experiment that the scientist intentionally chooses to change or manipulate.
Independent Variable (IV)
The process of choosing which subjects to include in a scientific study.
Sampling
Humans share roughly 60% of their DNA with this common, yellow fruit.
banana
Good scientists conduct this step after asking a question to see what is already known before experimenting.
background research
A single, direct statement of truth that directly answers the original research question without extra data.
Claim
Factors in an experiment that must be kept exactly the same across all test groups to ensure a fair test.
constants (or controlled variables)
Doing the exact same experiment under identical conditions to ensure results aren't a lucky fluke.
Repetition
This shoe and athletic wear brand uses a famous curved logo known and is named after the Greek goddess of victory.
Nike
This educated prediction is typically written as an "If... then... because..." statement.
Hypothesis
In a CER argument, reasoning connects these two things using scientific principles.
Numbers and Evidence
The measured outcome or data collected in an experiment that changes in response to what you manipulated.
dependent variable
This occurs when a scientist's personal expectations, opinions, or preferences accidentally influence an outcome.
Bias
This social media platform originally launched in 2010 with a logo shaped like a vintage Polaroid camera.
This final section states whether your experimental data supported or rejected your original hypothesis.
Conclusion
This component of CER relies on numerical data (quantitative) and specific observations (qualitative).
Evidence
In an experiment testing how fertilizer affects plant growth, the type of fertilizer used is this variable.
Independent variable
A study where neither the participants nor the scientists collecting data know who is in which group.
Double-Blind Study
Cotton candy was co-invented in 1897 by William Morrison, who ironically worked in this medical profession.
Dentist
A specific, repeatable test designed to see if your hypothesis is correct.
Experiment
This specific type of data relies explicitly on numerical measurements.
Quantitative
In an experiment testing how fertilizer affects plant growth, the height of the plant in centimeters is this variable.
dependent variable
The fake version of a treatment given to a control group during an experiment.
Placebo
Enclosed entirely within the city of Rome, Italy, this is the smallest independent country in the world.