Scientific Method Review
What are the six steps of the Scientific Method IN ORDER?
Problem, Hypothesis, Experiment, Data Analysis, Conclusion, Communicate Results
What happens in the Problem step of the Scientific Method?
Come up with a scientific question.
What happens in the hypothesis step of the Scientific Method?
An educated guess about the answer to your problem.
What happens in the Experiment step of the scientific method?
Test your hypothesis.
What happens in the Data Analysis step of the scientific method?
Use charts and graphs to analyze your data that you collected in a data table.
What happens in the Conclusion step of the scientific method?
Summarize your results and answer your question.
What happens in the Communicate Results step of the scientific method?
Tell others about your experiment and findings.
Define: Observation
Something you sense DIRECTLY through one of your five senses.
Define: Inference
Your explanation of an observation. (i.e. What you think is happening)
Define: Qualitative Data
Data that does NOT use numbers.
Define: Quantitative Data
Data that DOES use numbers.
Define: Independent Variable
The variable that is purposely changed in an experiment.
Define: Dependent Variable
The variable that you measure (it depends on the independent variable).
Define: Constant Variable
The variables that MUST stay the same in an experiment.
Define: Control Group
The group that does NOT get anything special.
WHY do you use a triple beam balance?
To measure mass of an object.
WHY do you use an electronic balance?
To measure mass of an object.
WHY do you use a graduated cylinder?
To measure volume of an object.
WHY do you use a thermometer?
To measure temperature of an object.
When do you use a line graph?
To show change (i.e. change over time)
When do you use a bar graph?
To show categories.
Identify: Independent Variable Hypothesis: If cows are fed grain THEN they will weigh more than cows fed grass.
Grass or grain (what they eat)
Identify: Dependent Variable Hypothesis: If cows are fed grain THEN they will weigh more than cows fed grass.
How much the cows weigh.
Identify: Constant Variables Hypothesis: If cows are fed grain THEN they will weigh more than cows fed grass.
Starting Weight, Breed, Amount of food, Amount of exercise…and so forth
What is the mass of sand (container mass 20g):
363.2g
What is the length of the cat in mm?
31mm
What is the length of the cat in cm?
3.1cm
How do you read a graduated cylinder?
From the BOTTOM of the meniscus.
What type of data (qualitative or quantitative)? There are 3 marbles.
Quantitative
What type of data (qualitative or quantitative)? That is a large cat.
Qualitative
Observation or Inference? I see 20 vultures flying.
Observation
Observation or Inference? The vultures are looking for something to eat
Inference
Observation or Inference? I think that the algae is growing because of extra fertilizer.
Inference
Observation or Inference? My grade is an A on this test.
Observation