Concepts that guide scientific investigations

Question 1

Steps to form a hypothesis

Answer 1

1. Identify the problem: observe & determine problem to be investigated
2. Ask ?s: Ask ?s & attempt to formulate a solution to problem
3. Form hypothesis: form explanations to answer ?s. This involves making predictions that follow from the initial statement of the problem. The language used within a hypothesis must be well-defined, such that an subsequent testing of hypothesis is not subject to erroneous interpretation

Question 2

Quantitative data

Answer 2

• Deals with numbers
• Data which can be measured.
• Length, height, area, volume, weight, speed, time, temperature, humidity, sound levels, cost, members, ages, etc

Question 3

Qualitative data

Answer 3

• Deals with descriptions.
• Data can be observed but not measured.
• Colors, textures, smells, tastes, appearance, beauty, etc.

Question 4

Rules of logic that govern scientific method are presented in which proper order

Answer 4

1. Problem identification
2. Question asking
3. Hypothesis development
4. Data collection & experimentation
5. Analysis
6. Conclusion

Question 5

Steps to form a hypothesis (first 3 steps of scientific method rules of logic)

Answer 5

1. Identify the problem: observe & determine problem to be investigated
2. Ask ?s: Ask ?s & attempt to formulate a solution to problem
3. Form hypothesis: form explanations to answer ?s. This involves making predictions that follow from the initial statement of the problem. The language used within a hypothesis must be well-defined, such that an subsequent testing of hypothesis is not subject to erroneous interpretation

Question 6

Data collection steps

Answer 6

1. Observation (using 5 senses)
2. Measurement (allows for collection of quantitative data)
3. Samples (collection from a representative sample of population)
4. Organization (tables/charts)

Question 7

Experimentation

Answer 7

-comparing a control group and an experimental group that both equally represent the population
-experimental group is different from control based on 1 variable
(what effect does the independent variable have on the dependent variable)

Question 8

Analysis

Answer 8

determine if data is reliable (consistent with past results) and whether or not it supports hypothesis

Question 9

Conclusion

Answer 9

• produce models to represent the explanations supported by the data
• carefully worded and consistent with hypothesis
• it’s a theory; thought to be true but may be proven incorrect when technology enables better data collection

Question 10

inference

Answer 10

used often in research as a way of drawing conclusions without direct observations

Question 11

Deductive reasoning

Answer 11

method whereby conclusions follow from general principles

Question 12

Inductive reasoning

Answer 12

method of arriving at general principles from specific facts