*Unit 1 Part 2: Scientific Methods and Experiments Flashcards

Scientific Method

1
Q

Theory

A

An accepted explanation of something in nature that has been supported by many observations and experiments

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2
Q

A _____ is subject to change as new evidence arises.

A

theory

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3
Q

Law

A

A description of something that happens in nature

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4
Q

A _____ does not explain why.

A

law

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5
Q

_____ are generally accepted to be true and universal.

A

Laws

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6
Q

Is the following statement true or false? A theory cannot turn into a law.

A

True

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7
Q

Scientific knowledge is based on evidence from nature, through _____ and _____.

A

observations; inferences

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8
Q

Observation

A

A direct collection of information

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9
Q

Inference

A

Using observations and prior knowledge to draw conclusions

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10
Q

Scientific Method

A

A set of steps that allow scientists to gather information and answer questions as objectively as possible

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11
Q

List the 7 steps of the scientific method.

A
  1. Ask questions
  2. Do background research
  3. Form a hypothesis
  4. Design an experiment
  5. Collect data
  6. Analyze the data
  7. Report conclusions
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12
Q

Questions must be able to be solved through _____.

A

experimentation

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13
Q

Scientists base their questions on what three things?

A

Observations, prior knowledge, and related research

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14
Q

Scientists _____ their topics to see what has already been done.

A

research

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15
Q

Hypothesis

A

A possible explanation to the research question that can be tested by experimentation

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16
Q

Experiment

A

An investigation in a controlled setting to test a hypothesis

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17
Q

Control group

A

A baseline group used for comparison that recieves normal, neutral, or no treatment

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18
Q

Experimental group

A

The group(s) exposed to the variable that is being tested

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19
Q

Variable

A

Any factor that changes in an experiment

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20
Q

Independent variable

A

The variable that is changed by the experimenter on purpose

21
Q

Dependent variable

A

The variable that is measured

22
Q

The dependent variable change in response to the ______.

A

Independent variable

23
Q

Constant

A

Factors that are kept the same between all trials

24
Q

Experimental error

A

When something affects the results of the experiment by mistake

25
Q

To minimize experimental error, scientists should:

A

~Have as many trials as possible
~Only change 1 variable in an experiment
~Keep as many factors constant as possible

26
Q

Invalid data

A

Any data that is an outlier or doesn’t fit the pattern of the rest is likely not accurate

27
Q

Data

A

Information gained from observations

28
Q

Quantitative data

A

Numerical data

29
Q

List examples of quantitative data.

A

time, temperature, length, mass, area, ect.

30
Q

Qualitative data

A

Descriptions of what our senses detect

31
Q

Is the following statement true or false? Qualitative data is always better for an experiment.

A

False

32
Q

_____ and _____ are good tools for data analysis.

A

Tables; graphs

33
Q

The IV is on the _____ axis.

A

X

34
Q

The DV is on the _____ axis.

A

Y

35
Q

What if the hypothesis isn’t supported?

A

Scientists learn something new, gained valuable data, and can design new experiments.

36
Q

Scientific research must undergo _____ to publish research in scientific journals.

A

peer review

37
Q

Scientific journals are the most _____ and _____ sources of scientific information.

A

current; reliable

38
Q

Peer review

A

The process where published experimnets are evalulated by others

39
Q

Why is peer review important?

A

To make sure experiments are objective and unbiased

40
Q

The metric system is based on…

A

a base unit that corresponds to a certain kind of measurement.

41
Q

What unit of measurement is used for length?

A

Meter

42
Q

What unit of measurement is used for volume?

A

Liter

43
Q

What unit of measurement is used for weight/mass ?

A

Gram

44
Q

Prefixes plus base units make up the _____.

A

metric system

45
Q

Each prefix in the metric system is based on…

A

powers of 10.

46
Q

Graph

A

A visual display of information or data

47
Q

What are line graph’s used for?

A

To show trends or how the data changes over time

48
Q

What are bar graph’s used for?

A

Useful for comparing information collected by counting

49
Q

What are circle/pie graph’s used for?

A

To show a fixed quantity is broken down into parts