Introduction to the Scientific Method Flashcards
(19 cards)
What is the first step of the scientific method?
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What do you call an educated guess in an experiment?
Hypothesis
What variable is changed on purpose in an experiment?
Independent variable
What variable is measured in an experiment?
Dependent variable
What are variables that stay the same in an experiment called?
Controlled variables
What step follows forming a hypothesis?
Conducting an experiment
What does a good hypothesis include?
An independent variable, dependent variable, and a reason
What should you do before forming a hypothesis?
Do background research
Why do scientists repeat experiments?
To ensure results are reliable and consistent
What is data?
Information gathered during an experiment
What do scientists do after analyzing data?
Draw a conclusion
What is the purpose of a control group?
To serve as a standard for comparison
What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative data?
Qualitative is descriptive; quantitative is numerical
What is an observation?
Information gathered using the senses
What is a conclusion in science?
A summary of what the data shows after an experiment
Why is it important to keep variables constant?
To ensure a fair test
What is a scientific theory?
A well-tested explanation supported by evidence
What is an experiment?
A test to see if a hypothesis is correct
What does it mean to analyze data?
To look for patterns or trends in the results
