1. SCIENTIFIC METHOD

Question 1

1. Provide a definition for the word Science?

Answer 1

• science is a rational and systematic method of inquiring about nature

Question 2

2. What is the Scientific method?

Answer 2

• it is a series of steps scientists take to:
  obtain, test and describe the natural world

Question 3

3. Name the 4 steps of the Scientific Method?

Answer 3

1. Observation of nature
2. Hypothesis
3. Prediction
4. Test

Question 4

4. What happens if the test rejects the hypothesis?

Answer 4

• then a new or revised hypothesis must be written up

Question 5

5. What happens if the test supports the hypothesis?

Answer 5

• then further tests and repetition can be done

Question 6

6. What happens if the results match the Prediction?

Answer 6

• then the hypothesis is supported

Question 7

7. What happens if the results do not match the prediction?

Answer 7

• then the hypothesis is rejected
• a new hypothesis must be formulated

Question 8

8. What are hypotheses and what do they reflect?

Answer 8

• a hypothesis is a possible explanation
• it reflects past experiences

Question 9

9. How many hypotheses should be proposed whenever possible?

Answer 9

• multiple

Question 10

10. What must hypotheses be?

Answer 10

• testable

Question 11

11. Can hypotheses be eliminated?

Answer 11

• yes, they can
• they however, cannot be confirmed with absolute certainty

Question 12

12. What is designed once a hypothesis is confirmed?

Answer 12

• an experiment is designed to prove or reject their hypothesis

Question 13

13. What are Variables?

Answer 13

• they are anything that is expected to change during the experiment

Question 14

14. What are Independent Variables?

Answer 14

• they are the conditions/factors that the investigator deliberately changes
• it is placed on the x- axis of any graph
• it is what we change

Question 15

15. What are Dependent Variables?

Answer 15

• the conditions/factors that the investigator measures during the experiment
• these factors are dependent on the independent variables
• they are changed by the independent variable
• this is what we measure and observe
• it is always written on the y-axis of any graph

Question 16

16. What are the Standardised (Controlled) Variables?

Answer 16

• they are the conditions that the investigator keeps the same
• they are there to ensure a fair test occurs
• they eliminate the effect of anything else that might influence the dependent variable

Question 17

17. What are the Control Treatments/Control Group/Vehicle Controls/Blanks?

Answer 17

• this is a factor of the experiment that stays constant or neutral
• the independent variable is either constant or eliminated when it comes to this factor of the experiment

Question 18

18. What is Replication and what does it ensure?

Answer 18

• it is the repetition of the experiment several times using the exact same conditions
• it is usually at least three times
• it is to try to yield an accurate average
• it is to see whether the results are consistent
• this makes the experiment reliable

Question 19

19. What makes an experiment Accurate?

Answer 19

• accuracy is dependent on the way in which the measurements in the experiment are conducted
• EG: eye level, scale, stop watch, no presence of bubbles in syringes etc

Question 20

20. What is the Aim of an experiment?

Answer 20

• it is the reason why the experiment is being done
• what is being tested