Chapter 2 - Building Scientific Knowledge

Question 1

What is a hypothesis?

Answer 1

Is a possible answer to a scientific question.

Question 2

What is a variable?

Answer 2

Or factors that can affect the result of an experiment, and must be the same.

Question 3

What is a independent variable?

Answer 3

The independent variable here is for example bird feeder color. It does not change, no matter what happens around it or to it.

Question 4

What is a dependent variable?

Answer 4

The dependent variable here is the number of times a hummingbird visits a birdfeeder. It changes, unlike the independent. (Hence the name)

Question 5

What is a scientific inquiry?

Answer 5

Refers to the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence they gather.

Question 6

What is a controlled experiment?

Answer 6

You decided to test the hummingbirds at two different colored theaters, red and yellow.

Question 7

What is data?

Answer 7

Are the facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through qualitative and quantitative observations.

Question 8

What is observational research?

Answer 8

Involves research methods where the researchers try to observe an event without interfering.

Question 9

What is opinion-based research?

Answer 9

Involves asking people questions using surveys and interviews.