1. The Scientific Method and Graphing
Test Review

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

3. 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

4. How are scientific hypotheses tested?
Through a controlled experiment

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

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

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

8. 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

15. What is the experimental variable?
the independent variable

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

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

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

19. 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

20. Should data be changed to suit a hypothesis?
never

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

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

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

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

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

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

27. 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.

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

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

30. *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.

31. 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

32. 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.