Scientific Method Note cards

6 th grade study guides ► Know the 2 types of observations ► Know the difference between an observation & an inference ► Know how to write a good testable question ► Be able to write a strong hypothesis ► Be able to write a clear and concise lab

Observations ► When you gather information using your 5 senses or a measuring device ► 2 types: ► Qualitative (quality) – observations made using your 5 senses ► Quantitative (quantity) – observations made using measuring devices

Inferences ► An explanation of an observation ► A conclusion that you draw after analyzing the data

Testable Questions ► A question that can be answered through an experiment Go to format: What is the effect of __ on ___?

How do you write a good testable question? ► Should be: 1. Testable 2. Contain a cause/effect relationship 3. Be specific 4. Be measurable 5. What are you measuring?

Testable Question Example ► What effect does studying 30 minutes each night have on my test grades?

Hypothesis ► An educated guess (based on information that you gather) ► If…then…because

Hypothesis Example ► If I increase the amount of time that I study each night by 30 minutes, then my test grades will go up because the information will go from my short term memory to my long term memory.

Variables ► vary = change ► able = able ► Variable = able to change ► Variables are important when you are designing your experiment

Independent Variables Independent Variables ► What is being tested ► The cause If… Then… Because Cause Effect Reason why

Dependent Variables ► What is being measured ► The effect If… Then… Because Cause Effect Reason why

Constants & Controls ► In an experiment, only 1 thing can change! ► Everything else in the experiment must stay the same

Practice Scenario If I put 4 apple slices in a bag with lemon juice and 4 apple slices in a bag with no lemon juice, then the apples in the bag with lemon juice will take more time to brown because the lemon juice helps preserve the apple slice. ► What is the independent variable? ► What is the dependent variable? ► What is the constant (or control)?

Variables Example ► Independent Variable – lemon juice ► Dependent Variable – time it takes to turn brown ► Constant (or Control) – 4 apple slices in a sealed bag, same apple ripeness