Scientific Investigation
What is a hypothesis?
A testable idea or explanation that leads to scientific investigation.
What is an independent variable?
The variable that is deliberately changed or manipulated
What is qualitative data?
Qualitative data describes using the five senses
Ex. small, blue, heavy, shiny
Linda wants to know which type of fertilizer will help her plants grow faster. What is Linda's independent variable?
type of fertilizer
What is a scientific theory?
An explanation of natural events based on observation, experimentation, and reasoning that is supported with a large amount of evidence.
Can change with new evidence.
What are the detailed steps of an experiment called?
The procedure
What is a dependent variable?
The variable or factor that changes as a result of manipulation of the independent variable; the outcome of the experiment
What is Quantitative data?
Quantitative date is measurable in numbers
Ex. 5.75 meters, 7 seconds, 6.3 grams
Linda wants to know which type of fertilizer will help her plants grow faster. What is Linda's dependent variable?
how fast Linda's plants grow
What is a scientific law?
A description of natural events that reliably predicts events under certain conditions and is supported with large amounts of evidence.
Cannot change with new evidence.
What is the experimental group?
The group in an investigation that receives the independent variable being tested
What is a control variable?
The factor that is NOT changed throughout a scientific investigation
What is an experimental investigation?
an investigation to determine how a variable affects a group
Linda wants to know which type of fertilizer will help her plants grow faster. What are some control/constant variables in this investigation?
amount of water and sunlight, type of plant, amount of fertilizer, location, etc
What is the difference between an observation and an inference?
An observation is the information obtained by using the senses.
An inference is a conclusion reached based on evidence and reasoning.
What is the control group?
The group in an investigation that does NOT receive any treatment or manipulation by researchers
Quantitative or Qualitative?
The tree outside my house is 7 meters tall.
Quantitative
What is a comparative investigation?
an investigation where data is collected to make a comparison and looks for patterns or trends
Linda wants to know which type of fertilizer will help her plants grow faster. She uses Miracle Grow, Garden Soil, and Flora Bloom. What would be a good hypothesis for this experiment?
If Linda uses this brand of fertilizer, then her plants will grow faster/slower.
Linda wants to make a garden and is looking at fertilizers. What would be a good scientific question for this investigation?
What brand of fertilizer would help Linda's plants grow faster?
What should be the last step of any scientific investigation?
Make a conclusion and communicate your results.
Quantitative or Qualitative?
The tree outside my house is very tall.
Qualitative
What is a descriptive investigation?
an investigation that collects data which measures or describes objects or events but no variables are manipulated
Linda wants to know which type of fertilizer will help her plants grow faster. What would be Linda's control group in this investigation?
a plant with no fertilizer added
On a graph, which axis shows the independent variable?
the x-axis