Types of Variables
Gathering information by using your senses
Observation
A set of steps that helps us ask and answer scientific questions.
Scientific Method
What type of data is measurable or countable?
Quantitative
A scientist wants to test how different colors of light affect the growth of a plant. They use red, green, and blue light on three identical plants.
What is the constant?
The amount of water given to each plant, the type of soil, the size of the pot, and the temperature of the room.
Scientists are the only individuals who use the scientific method True or False
False - WE ALL USE IT
A guess or conclusion based on your observations.
Inference
What 2 words should always be in your hypothesis statement?
If, Then
What are the three types of graphs that we use?
Line graphs, Bar graphs, and Pie graphs.
A scientist is testing how the amount of water affects the growth of a bean plant. What is the control? 5 possible answers.
What kind of observation is collected by using your senses and is descriptive?
Qualitative
The variable that is kept the same in an experiment
Controlled Variable
What is a hypothesis?
An educated guess or statement about what is going to happen.
The variable that is changed in an experiment; also referred to as the manipulated variable
Independent
In a study measuring the influence of different quantities of fertilizer on plant growth, what is the dependent variable?
Plant growth (measured as height or mass).
True or False? A good procedure will require multiple trials of testing to be conducted; this allows the data and results to be more reliable.
True
Data, details, and facts that support your claim
Evidence
True or False? You can skip steps or change the order of the procedure.
False
The variable that is measured in an experiment; also referred to as the responding variable.
Dependent variable.
Identify the independent variable in each scenario.
Researchers investigate if the type of therapy (cognitive-behavioral vs. psychodynamic) impacts the level of depression symptoms after a 12-week treatment period.
The type of therapy administered
The process of learning about the natural world through observation and experimentation.
Collect Data
A factor in an experiment that can exist in different amounts or that can change.
Variables
What are the 6 steps to the scientific method?
1. Make an Observation/ Ask a Question
2. Make a Hypothesis
3. Design and conduct an Experiment
4. Collect Data
5. Report Results
6. Draw Conclusions
Why is control necessary in an experiment?
A control is necessary for an experiment because when we are experimenting, we only want to test for one thing at a time. If we test more than one thing, it becomes too confusing.
Identify the independent variable in each scenario:
The amount of sleep.
What do both observations and inferences help us to form?
Conclusions