Midterm

Question 1

• A body of knowledge
• A method/procedure
• A way of knowing

Answer 1

What is science

Question 2

(what is science)
- facts
- definitions
- concepts
- theories
- laws

Answer 2

A body of knowledge

Question 3

(what is science)
- observing
- measuring
- inferring
- predicted
- classifying
- hypothesizing
- experimenting
- analyzing

Answer 3

A method/procedure

Question 4

(key tenets about nature of science)
- Refers to both qualitative and quantitative data. While some scientific concepts may be theoretical in that they derived primarily from logic and reasoning, ultimately all scientific ideas must conform to known observational or experimental data to be considered valid

Answer 4

empirical evidence

Question 5

(key tenets about nature of science)
- Empirical data are derived from observation using the five senses. In addition, technological tools can be used to enhance scientists’ ability to make observations. An inference is a logical interpretation based on observations and prior knowledge

Answer 5

Observation and Inference

Question 6

(key tenets about nature of science)
- In science, a ______ is typically used as a proposed explanation or prediction to a research question or problem. Scientific _____ describe consistent relationships or patters in nature. Scientific _______ are different from colloquial theories in that scientific theories are well-supported explanations of natural phenomenon and are based on large bodies of empirical evidence.

Answer 6

hypothesis, theories, and laws

(Everyday theories are most often based on a few untested personal experiences. Both scientific laws and theories are widely accepted by scientists and are able to be changed in light of new evidence. Thus, hypotheses, theories, and laws are never fully proven.)

Question 7

(key tenets about nature of science)
- Contrary to science textbooks, there is no one ______ for scientific inquiry. Scientists apply many methods to their research and there is no single, correct sequence of scientific activities.

Answer 7

(no universal scientific..) method

Question 8

(key tenets about nature of science)
- ________ and __________ are sources of innovation and inspiration in science. Scientists use imagination, evidence, reason, and prior knowledge to generate new scientific ideas

Answer 8

create and imaginative

Question 9

(key tenets about nature of science)
- Scientists are skeptical and apply mechanisms such as peer review and cross-checking new results with existing data to improve objectivity of scientific knowledge. Nonetheless, personal values, and beliefs, intuition, academic training, experiences and expectation of scientists play a significant role in development of scientific knowledge. Thus, there is inherently a degree of subjectivity reflected in all scientific observations, inferences, and interpretations.

Answer 9

objectivity and subjectivity

Question 10

(key tenets about nature of science)
- Science is a human enterprise and is practiced in the context of a larger culture. Science is affected by the social fabric, power structures, politics, socioeconomic factors, religion, etc. Scientific knowledge reflects these social and cultural elements.

Answer 10

socially and culturally embedded

Question 11

(key tenets about nature of science)
- Scientific knowledge, though reliable and durable, is never absolute or proven. Scientific facts, theories, and laws are subject to change in light of new data. Scientific knowledge changes as new evidence is gathered and interpreted. Often this is possible by advances in thinking and technology. Regardless of the tentative nature of science, scientific knowledge is the most reliable knowledge about the natural world and how it works.

Answer 11

tentative

Question 12

• Diverse ways that scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on the evidence derived from their work
• Activities of students in which they develop knowledge and understanding of scientific ideas and methods

Answer 12

scientific inquiry

Question 13

• to develop new knowledge: inquiry in _____
• to develop new knowledge and to understand existing knowledge: inquiry in ________

Answer 13

• science
• classrooms

Question 14

a piece of information that is obtained exclusively through one of the 5 senses can be considered an ___________

Answer 14

observation

Question 15

• form the basis for all science
• are used to classify, infer, and predict
• can be made in a variety of situations
• lead to inferences

Answer 15

observations

Question 16

(2 types of observations)
- about quality
- most observations
- do not include numbers
- the solid was rough
- the flower was purple

Answer 16

Qualitative

Question 17

(2 types of observations)
- about quantity
- uses numbers
- include counting and measuring
- the ball was 5 cm in diameter
- the vial held 315 seeds

Answer 17

Quantitative

Question 18

(Static or Dynamic Observation)
- stationary
- about something that is not changing
- ex: the color of chalk

Answer 18

Static

Question 19

(Static or Dynamic Observation)
- moving
- about something that is undergoing change
- ex: an animal moving

Answer 19

Dynamic

Question 20

(Inferences or Predictions)
- explain why changes occur
- an explanation or interpretation of observation based on a particular event or situation
- different from a hypothesis or general conclusion generalized to many situations

Answer 20

Inferences

Question 21

(Inferences or Predictions)
- forecast future events based on observations
- they are the foundation for experimentation today
- start the process of testing the validity of drawing a conclusion about why something does or does not occur
- help scientists create models and formulate theories to explain changes in the universe

Answer 21

Predictions

Question 22

(Distinguishing between observations and inferences)
- a white substance drops down the side of the candle
- Wax melts and drops down the side of the candle

Answer 22

• a white substance.. : observation
• wax melts.. : inference

Question 23

(Observational/Descriptive Studies)
a study using data (e.g. climate)

Answer 23

retrospective

Question 24

(Observational/Descriptive Studies)
a study done by gathering new data (no treatments)

Answer 24

prospective

Question 25

(Elements of an experiment)
__________ or manipulated variables – deliberately changed in an experiment

Answer 25

independent

Question 26

(Elements of an experiment)
__________ or responding variables – change as a result of the manipulation

Answer 26

dependent

Question 27

(Elements of an experiment)
elements that remain constant throughout the experiment

Answer 27

constants

Question 28

(Elements of an experiment)
the part of the experiment that the scientist doesn’t change or add the variable to

Answer 28

control

Question 29

1. observation
2. hypothesis
3. data to be obtained
4. ways to analyze data
5. conclusion to obtain from the question

Answer 29

writing a scientific question

Question 30

• results of a scientific observations and measurements obtained via bias-free studies, whether experimental or non-experimental by design
• are hypotheses that research repeatedly confirms as true under different circumstances

Answer 30

scientific question

Question 31

• claim
• evidence
• reasoning
• argumentation

Answer 31

components of a scientific explanation