Scientific Method

Question 1

Observation

Answer 1

Using your five senses to gather information about something.

Question 2

Qualitative Observation

Answer 2

Using your senses to describe the characteristics of an object-color, texture, and taste.

Examples: Smooth texture, Brightly colored, Smells bad.

Question 3

Quantitative Observation

Answer 3

Using numbers or measurements to describe something. Examples: 10 meters, 450 milliliters, and 176 grams.

Question 4

Inference

Answer 4

An explanation of an observation based on prior knowledge.

Question 5

Hypothesis

Answer 5

A prediction based on prior knowledge. Always written in an if then statement. Example: IF i put the ice cube in the sun, THEN the ice cube will melt.

Question 6

Variable

Answer 6

Any factor that can be manipulated, controlled for, or measured in an experiment.

Question 7

Control Variable

Answer 7

What must stay the same in the experiment.

Question 8

Manipulated/Independent Variable

Answer 8

The thing that you are testing or changing in an experiment and it is graphed on the X-axis.

Question 9

Dependent/Responding Variable

Answer 9

What are you measuring or observing in an experiment and it is graphed on the Y-axis.

Question 10

C-E-R

Answer 10

Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Question 11

Claim

Answer 11

Is the answer to the question you are trying to answer.

Question 12

Evidence

Answer 12

Scientific data that supports your claim.

Question 13

Reasoning

Answer 13

The how or why the evidence supports our claim; scientific rule.

Question 14

Conclusion

Answer 14

A written summary of an experiment that uses evidence to prove what you learned.