Scientific Method
Information gathered by using sight, hearing, smell, and touch
Observation
association used to study a subject when using as experiment is impossible or unethical
correlation
what essential characteristic does a good experiment have?
a single variable is tested
a control is used
iin a scientific investigation, it is important that the number of objects or events begin sample be?
1.a guess of how likely an unwanted outcome will occur
2.large enough to give an accurate estimate for the whole population
3.equal to the mean number of objects or events not sampled
4.equal to the total statistical population
large enough to give an accurate estimate for the whole population
list the 3 final steps in the experimental method
drawing conclusions, repeating experiments, communicating results
procedure for testing a hypothesis under controlled conditions
experiment
principles or standards we consider important
value
the chance that an earthquake will occur in your town during the next year is an example of?
risk
Your county is considering buying land to form a nature preserve. On this land an endangered species of mammal is known to breed. What would a possible positive long-term consequence be of this decision?
the population of the endangered species increases
when making a decision about whether or not to build a dam, you are considering an economic value when you ask which question?
1.will the dam provide new leisure activities
2.how many jobs will building the dam generate
3.will building the dam destroy natural resources
4.is it right to build a dam here
how many jobs will building the dam generate
testable explanation for an observation
hypothesis
chance of something happening
probability
a model of a dinosaur is an example of what model?
physical
before you can make a decision using the decision-making model, what step must you take?
gather information, consider which values apply to the issue, explore the consequences of each option
What step in an environmental decision-making model are you taking when you consider whether or not people will benefit financially form setting aside land as a national park?
exploring consequences
logical statement about what will happen if a hypothesis is correct
prediction
verbal or graphic explanation for how a system works or is organized
conceptual model
the average mass of a wolf in a pack of wolves is an example of?
mean
if you consider what will protect our natural resources when making an environmental decision, you are examining an ____________ value?
1.ethical/moral
2.aesthetic
3.scientific
4.environmental
environmental
when you ask the question, "if a marsh is included as part of a nature preserve, will it help protect our water resources?" you are considering which value?
environmental
information gathered during an experiment
data
collection and classification of data in the from of numbers
statistics
why are mathematical models important?
1.they are useful when there are many variables
2.they can be used to create digital images
3.they can represent how a system or process works
4.all of the above
all of the above
a good hypothesis is more than a guess because?
1. is based on intuition rather than observation
2.states what is likely to happen
3.makes logical sense
4. both 2 and 3
makes logical sense
which of the following models would you use to represent the shape of Earth's surface beneath the oceans?
1.graphical
2.mathematical
3.conceptual
4.physical
graphical