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Scientific Methods
Statistics and Models
Making Informed Decisions
Vocabulary
A Little Bit of Everything
100
List and describe the 6 steps of the experimental method.
1) Make observations or measurements -to gather information. 2) Form a hypothesis and make a Prediction based on your hypothesis 3) Conduct an experiment to test the hypothesis under controlled conditions 4) Organize and analyze information that is gathered from the experiment. 5) Use the data to form conclusions about the original hypothesis 6) Repeat the experiment and share the results.
100
Summarize, characterize, analyze, and compare data are ways scientists...
use statistics.
100
Economic, environmental, & recreational are all examples of...
values to consider when making environmental decisions.
100
________ is the factor of interest in an experiment and is the only difference between the groups being tested.
A variable
100
Reading scientific reports is an example of... a) assessing risk b) considering values c) gathering information d) exploring consequences
c) gathering information
200
Name three of the five scientific habits of mind.
Curiosity The Habit of Skepticism Openness to New Ideas Intellectual Honesty Imagination and Creativity
200
Explain why sample size is important in determining probability.
A statistical sample needs to be large enough to reflect a population. If a sample is not large enough it can easily misrepresent probability.
200
List and describe the four steps in a simple environmental decision-making model.
1) Gather information - to fully understand the problem. 2) Consider the values - so that a decision is made based on what is important to the decision-maker. 3) Explore the consequences - it is necessary to consider the long-term impact of a decision. 4) Make a decision - so that something can be done and the decision maker's values can be implemented.
200
The group that does not receive the experimental treatment is called ...
the control group.
200
In a population, characteristics such as size will often be clustered around the... a) sample b) mean c) distribution d) collection
b) mean
300
Explain why a hypothesis is not just a guess.
A hypothesis is a testable explanation, while a guess may not be testable.
300
Three types of models commonly used by scientists are...
Physical models, Graphical models, and Conceptual models
300
Why is it important to identify different values that influence decision making?
Different values influence decisions and these values can conflict with one another.
300
Reliable associations between two or more groups are called...
correlations.
300
A group of similar things that a scientist is interested in learning about is a ...
statistical population.
400
Explain how scientists try to answer questions that cannot be tested with experiments.
Scientists use the correlation method to test predictions that cannot be answered by using experiments. The more correlations that exist between variables, the more sure scientists can be of their conclusions.
400
Explain the relationship between probability and risk.
Probability is the chance that an event will occur. Risk is the probability of an unwanted outcome.
400
Decisions about the environment should be made ...
thoughtfully, using a decision-making model.
400
The relative arrangement of the members of a statistical population is called ...
distribution.
400
A bell-shaped curve in a distribution graph indicates...
a normal distribution.
500
Describe the two essential parts of a good experiment, and explain their importance.
1) Testing only one variable - so you can be sure that this variable is the cause of any changes that occur. 2) Using a control - so that you have something to compare with the experimental treatment.
500
Explain what "the mean number of weeds in three plots of land" means.
The statement means that someone has determined how many weeds are in each of three plots of land, added these numbers together, and divided by three. In this case, the "mean" represents the average number of weeds in the three plots.
500
What can be done to help you weigh your values about an environmental decision?
making a table that lists positive and negative short- and long-term consequences.
500
_________ is the collection and classification of data that are in the form of numbers.
Statistics
500
A conceptual model represents a way of thinking about... a) relationships b) variables c) data d) positions
a) relationships - a conceptual model is a verbal or graphical explanation for how a system works, is organized, or is put together.