scientific method Flashcards
what do scientists do?
observe, study and test/experiment, build on existing knowledge, debate, accept or reject an explaination
science
an organized way of observing and asking questions
scientific method
an organized pattern of investigative procedures that answer questions
How many steps are a part of the scientific method?
11
observation
the act of noticing and describing events or processes
an observation is different from an …
inference
inference
a logical interpretation based on what you observe
what is the first step of the scientific method
observation
what is the second step of the scientific method
ask a question/ state the problem
what is the third step of the scientific method
gather info
gather information
research to see that has already been found
form a hypothesis
a tentative scientific explanation that can be tested
what is the fourth step of the scientific method
form a hypothesis
how do you write a hypothesis
“if…then…” statement
what is the fifth step of the scientific method
prediction
prediction
the expected outcome assuming your hypothesis is correct
example of a prediction
plants will grow taller in the sunlight
what is the sixth step of the scientific method
experiment
experiment
a planned procedure to test a hypothesis under controlled conditions
control group
recieves no experimental treatment
experimental group
recieves the experimental treatment
conditions
things that may influence data
controls
things in the experiment kept the same
variables
the thing that changes in the experiment
independent variable
what is being changed by the person
dependent variable
the data that is being measured
what is the seventh step of the scientific method
experiment again
experiment again
repeat to make sure you get similar results
what is the eighth step of the scientific method
collect and organize data
collect and organize data
the procedures, materials, and the results from an experiment
quantitative data
measured using numbers
qualitative data
described using words
what is the ninth step of the scientific method
analyze data
analyze data
compare all of your data to determine if it accepts your hypothesis
what is the tenth step of the scientific method
conclusion
conclusion
is your hypothesis accepted or rejected
can a conclusion prove a hypothesis
no
how do you start a conclusion
“the data shows that …”
what is the 11th step of the scientific method
communication
communication
share the results with the scientific community
