The Scientific Method Flashcards
The steps in the Scientific Method:
1 - Making observations.
2 - Asking questions.
3 - Formulating a hypothesis and alternative hypotheses.
4 - Developing a prediction.
5 - Designing an experiment.
6 - Conducting an experiment and collecting data.
7 - Analyzing data, reporting results, and drawing a conclusion.
Something that simply describes the phenomenon.
Observation
Infers from previous experience and/or understanding.
Inference
Researcher takes the observation and turns it into a question.
State the Problem
Group that continues under existing conditions.
Control Group
Group exposed to something that’s being tested in the experiment.
Experimental Group
A factor, condition, or relationship that can be changed in an experiment.
Variable
Factors/conditions in the experiment that don’t change.
Controlled Variable
Factors/conditions in the experiment that are purposefully changed.
Differs between the control group and the experimental group.
Manipulated variable.
Independent Variable
Result of the change in the experimental group due to the independent (manipulated) variable.
Responding variable.
Dependent Variable
A proposed explanation for a phenomenon/problem being studied.
Declarative sentence offering a statement of explainations that are linked to the variables and the experiement.
Identifies the independent variable and a possible outcome (dependent variable).
Educated guess.
Hypothesis
Hypothesis that is first to be tested.
Null Hypothesis
Hypotheses that offer options if the null hypothesis is rejected.
Alternative Hypotheses
If/then statement.
Represents your specific belief about the scientific data you’re testing.
An outcome you would expect if the hypothesis is supported.
Serves as a bridge between hypothesis and experiment (between educated guess and the action of testing the guess).
Prediction
Examines the big picture data (very general observations) and predicts a very specific answer.
Deductive Reasoning
