Scientific Method
(Usually) The first step in the scientific method.
What is an Observation?
The petri dish is round.
What is Qualitative Data?
What step of the scientific method do you predict a possible answer to a problem or a question?
What is the Hypothesis?
Which variable is graphed on the x-axis?
What is the Independent Variable?
Which step of the scientific method is missing: Question
Research
Formulate a Hypothesis
______________
Observe and Record Data
Analyze Results
Share the Results
What is Experiment?
The variable that is intentionally changed.
What is the Independent Variable?
This type of observation is measurable.
What is Quantitative Data?
A student is interested in designing several experiments to test the factors that effect how quickly an Alka-Seltzer® tablet dissolves in water (solution rate). What would be a hypothesis for the following question: What effect does stirring have on solution rate?
If the water is stirred, then the tablet will dissolve faster because stirring increases dissolving rate.
Which variable is graphed on the y-axis?
What is the Dependent Variable?
This is the group in the experiment that does not get the independent variable.
What is the control group?
The variable that is measured.
What is the dependent variable?
This type of observation is descriptive.
What is Qualitative Measurement?
A student is interested in designing several experiments to test the factors that effect how quickly an Alka-Seltzer® tablet dissolves in water (solution rate). What would be a hypothesis for the following question: What effect does the water temperature have on solution rate?
If you increase the temperature of the water, then the tablet will dissolve faster.
What is the term we use to describe the manipulated variable or factor that the experimenter intentionally changes?
What is Independent Variable?
What is the control group and experimental group in the following experiment?
You want to know if feeding rabbits corn is better for their growth than the normal feed pellets that they eat. You have 20 rabbits on which to perform your experiment.
Control Group: Rabbits with normal food
Experimental Group: Rabbits with new food
In which step of the scientific method do you present your experiment, observations and conclusions to others?
What is Share Results.
Blue, rough, metal are all examples of what type of observation?
What is Qualitative Data?
A student is interested in designing several experiments to test the factors that effect how quickly an Alka-Seltzer® tablet dissolves in water (solution rate). What would be a hypothesis for the following question: What effect does crushing the tablet have on solution rate?
If the tablet is crushed into smaller pieces, then the tablet will dissolve faster.
In an experiment what are the variables that are not being studied that are held constant so that they do not influence the experimental outcome called?
What is Controlled Variable?
List the independent and dependent variables in the following hypothesis. If soil temperatures rise, then plant growth will increase.
Independent-soil temperatures, Dependent-plant growth.
What is the correct order for the following steps:
Hypothesis
Research
Experiment
Conclusion
Observation
Observation
Research
Hypothesis
Experiment
Conclusion
The bacteria is 3 millimeters in diameter.
What is Quantitative Data?
What is the criteria for a good hypothesis?
Worded so it can be tested
Makes a clear prediction
Is specific!
Format to help you out:
If _________, then _________.
Find the independent and dependent variables in the following experiment: You want to know if feeding rabbits corn is better for their weight than the normal feed pellets that they eat. You have 20 rabbits on which to perform your experiment.
Independent- Type of food
Dependent- weight of the rabbits
What is the difference between a theory and law?
Laws describe what will happen in a given situation as demonstrable by a mathematical equation, whereas theories describe how the phenomenon happens.