CHAPTER 1: Lesson 1 Flashcards
A _____ is usually triggered by an observation-that is, some- thing that catches a scientist’s attention.
For instance, an environmental scientist might notice that the temperature of the Earth has been rising for the past consecutive years and he/she would like to know why. An entomologist (one who studies insects) observes that the number of bees in a certain field is declining and sets out to find out the reason behind it.
scientific investigation
The ______ is a logical way of answering questions or solving problems based on observable or measurable evidence. It is a set of procedures that helps scientists gain new knowledge and update their knowledge of the physical world. It involves systematic observation, measurement, communication, formulation of hypothesis, and experiments.
The application of the ______ is essential in doing science so that scientists can track the progress of their investigation and not miss any important detail or procedure.
Applying the _____ can also help reduce the errors that scientists may make when conducting investigations.
Following the _______ also saves them time because repetition of steps and unnecessary actions can be avoided.
scientific method
______
-The scientific method begins with a question or a problem.
-It can be anything that you had observed or experienced and want to know more about.
For instance you overheard someone saying that placing black pepper on areas infested by rats will make these animals go away. Wondering whether the statement is true, you ask yourself the question: “Do rats dislike black pepper?”
Asking a Question
______
-After asking a question or stating a problem that you want to solve, you continue the process by doing research or by gathering existing information about your topic.
-You may get information from books or on the internet, or you may ask an expert. Make sure to gather information only from ____ and ____. When searching the internet, look for academic journals or resources. Compare the opinions of scholars or experts about your topic so that you can evaluate and verify the information you have gathered. -______ is very important because it gives you insights into the topic. It also prevents you from repeating the errors of people who might have asked the same question or have tried solving the same problem in the past.
Doing Research,
reliable,
credible sources,
Doing Research
_____
-You need to conduct an experiment to test if your hypothesis is correct. Before conducting an experiment, design your experiment or methodology first.
Conducting an Experiment
-A _____ is a system of procedures that describes what you plan to do and identifies the data that you aim to collect. To do this, begin with identifying your independent variable (the factor to be purposely manipulated in the experiment) and your dependent variable (the factor that is predicted to change based on how the independent variable is manipulated).
-The _____ also provides a systematic description of how you will change the independent variable and observe its effects on the dependent variable.
methodology
_______
-After analyzing the collected data, compare the results of the experiment to your hypothesis and then draw a conclusion.
-A _____ is a judgement based on facts or on the results of an experiment. Your conclusion will confirm if your hypothesis is correct or not.
Drawing a Conclusion,
conclusion
-If the conclusion does not support your hypothesis, you may form another hypothesis and make changes in the design of your experiment based on what you have learned during the experiment. This then brings you to repeat some steps of the scientific method. This feedback process, which involves using the results of an experiment to ask new questions and form new hypotheses, is called the ____.
iterative process.
-The scientific method can be used in all fields of science. In fact, the gadgets that you enjoy today are the results of studies and efforts done in the field of science that technology that used the scientific method. However, not all scientists follow the exact steps of the scientific method. That is because there are areas of science that require a different system of investigation. For instance, scientists who study the evolution of the first reptiles on Earth cannot travel back in time by millions of years to make direct observations and test their hypothesis. In such cases, scientists modify their use of the scientific method. However, the goal remains the same: ____
to ask a question, gather and analyze data, and draw conclusions.
____
-During the experiment, record all your observations. These observations are your data.
-__ are pieces of information that you collect from the experiment and which will help prove or disprove your hypothesis. You must be precise and accurate in measuring and recording information from your experiment to generate reliable, valid results. Once you have gathered data, analyze them by carefully looking for any patterns, connections, and inconsistencies.
Gathering and Analyzing Data,
Data
____
-After doing research, you can now form a hypothesis.
-A ____ is a potential answer to a question or problem at hand. It is a possible explanation for how things work or came to be on the basis of limited, measurable evidence. You can make predictions to prove or disprove your hypothesis.
-A properly worded prediction is often presented in the form of an _____.
Forming a Hypothesis,
hypothesis,
if-then statement
The _____ is a logical way of solving problems based on observable or measurable evidence.
scientific method
The key steps of the scientific method are ____
asking a question, doing research, forming a hypothesis, conducting an experiment, gathering and analyzing data, and drawing a conclusion.
An _____ is the factor to be purposely manipulated in the experiment, whereas a ____ is the factor that is predicted to change based on how the independent variable is manipulated.
independent variable,
dependent variable
