The Scientific Method and Graphing Test Review

Define the scientific method. Precise method of investigation used by scientists that separates science from other ways of studying & learning

State the steps of the scientific method in order. 1. State the problem. 2. Research/ Gather Information 3. Form a Hypothesis 4. Test the Hypothesis 5. Analyze Data & Draw Conclusions

How are scientific hypotheses tested? Through a controlled experiment

What is an inference? Give an example. logical interpretations based on observations

How are inferences and observations related? Inferences are assumptions based on observations.

What is the control group in an experiment? The group not exposed to the independent variable

Define hypothesis. Give an example. a testable and clear explanation for observations; an educated guess If students study for an exam, then they will score higher than those who do not.

Define variable. a quantity that can have more than a single value

Define independent variable. the variable that is deliberately changed in the experiment

Define dependent variable. the variable that changes in response to the independent variable

What is the relationship between the independent and dependent variable in an experiment? the independent variable directly impacts the dependent variable

What is the purpose of a conclusion? to report the results of an experiment by supporting or rejecting the hypothesis

How is an experimental group different from a control group? control group is not exposed to the independent variable

What is the experimental variable? the independent variable

What are controlled variables, and why are they important? all variables that are kept the same; helps prove independent variable is causing observed results

How many variables should be tested in a controlled experiment? one

What is qualitative data? Give an example of qualitative data. descriptive data that can be OBSERVED but not measured Color, shape

What is quantitative data? Give an example of quantitative data. data which can be measured using numbers Distance measured in meters, time measured in seconds

Should data be changed to suit a hypothesis? never

The ability to reproduce results is an important part of any experiment. Why? a hypothesis should be supported consistently to be valid

Where is the independent variable located on a graph? the X axis

Where is the dependent variable located on a graph? the Y axis

What does a line graph show? any relationship where the dependent variable changes due to the independent variable

How are science and technology different? Technology= application of knowledge Science= the accumulation of knowledge

List one example of technology and one example of science. Discovering the way the human body works.- Science Making artificial hearts and limbs. -technology

Write a hypothesis for this problem: Does the temperature of the classroom affect student test scores? If the temperature is colder in a classroom, then student test scores will be lower.

What is a theory? an explanation based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations The “WHY”

How is a theory different from a law? laws support theories but they do not offer explanations

*Be sure to be able to identify independent and dependent variables, write a hypothesis, complete a scientific method scenario, write a conclusion that shows the relationship between the hypothesis and data in an experiment, and analyze a graphs and data.

What is the independent variable in the graph above? Time in years   What is the dependent variable in the graph above? Number of individuals What is the relationship between rabbits and coyotes? An increase in the rabbit population is followed by an increase in the coyote population because of availability of food

What is the independent variable in the experiment? digestive juice A sample of digestive juice was removed from the stomach of a cow. The juice was placed in a test tube along with some grains of wheat. A second test tube was set up containing an equal number of wheat grains, with distilled water rather than digestive juice. The test tubes were kept for 24 hours at 42 degrees Celsius. After 24 hours, the seeds inside the digestive juice had broken into tiny particles. The grains of wheat, in the water, were wet but otherwise unchanged. What is the independent variable in the experiment? digestive juice What conclusions can be made after completing this experiment? Digestive juices from the stomach of a cow can digest wheat.