Scientific Method Flashcards
What is the first step of the scientific method?
asking testable questions
What is a hypothesis?
is a possible explanation for something observed. Collected data can support or reject the hypothesis
What is the third part of the scientific method?
Designing an experiment
What are variables?
factors that can change in an experiment
For valid research how many variables are purposely changed by the experimenter?
ONE
What is the manipulated variable called?
The independent
What is a dependent variable?
a variable that is expected to change as a result of what is being done by the researcher
What are controlled variables?
they are all other factors that are kept the same between the different groups being tested
What is stated first in the title of an experiment, the independent or dependent variable?
independent the dependent comes second
How do you collect and interpret data?
facts figures and evidence from observations. May be quantitative or qualitative
What quantitative data?
data that is measurements and/or numerical. It uses the International System of Units(SI), also called the metric system
What is qualitative data?
data that does not use numbers
What do I need to ask when drawing conclusions?
does the data support or reject the hypothesis?
How do I communicate results?
share results with peers for their review. This may lead to new questions and further research.
How does science develop?
scientific models, scientific laws and scientific theories
What are Scientific theories?
an explanation for a wide range of observations that have never been rejected by experimentation. Theories may be rejected if future evidence does not support it.
What are Scientific Laws?
a statement that tells what scientists expect to happen every single time under the same conditions. Ex. Law of Gravity
What are Scientific Models?
a picture, diagram, computer image or other representation of an object that is impossible to observe.
What is Science? What is Scientific Inquiry?
science is a way of learning about the natural world by gathering information. Information is collected by observing, inferring and predicting. Scientific Inquiry:the different ways the natural world is studied…the discovery of science.
What is observing?
using your senses to gather information. Sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell.
What is inferring?
an explanation of your observations base on prior knowledge
What is predicting?
forecasting what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence
What is Physical Science?
is the study of matter, energy, and the changes they undergo. Anything that has mass and takes up space is matter Energy is the ability to do work. There are two main areas of physical science: chemistry and physics
What is Chemistry?
the study of the properties of matter and how matter changes
What is Physics?
the study of how matter and energy interact
