*Unit 1 Part 2: Scientific Methods and Experiments

Question 1

Theory

Answer 1

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

Question 2

A _____ is subject to change as new evidence arises.

Answer 2

theory

Question 3

Law

Answer 3

A description of something that happens in nature

Question 4

A _____ does not explain why.

Answer 4

law

Question 5

_____ are generally accepted to be true and universal.

Answer 5

Laws

Question 6

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

Answer 6

True

Question 7

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

Answer 7

observations; inferences

Question 8

Observation

Answer 8

A direct collection of information

Question 9

Inference

Answer 9

Using observations and prior knowledge to draw conclusions

Question 10

Scientific Method

Answer 10

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

Question 11

List the 7 steps of the scientific method.

Answer 11

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

Question 12

Questions must be able to be solved through _____.

Answer 12

experimentation

Question 13

Scientists base their questions on what three things?

Answer 13

Observations, prior knowledge, and related research

Question 14

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

Answer 14

research

Question 15

Hypothesis

Answer 15

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

Question 16

Experiment

Answer 16

An investigation in a controlled setting to test a hypothesis

Question 17

Control group

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Experimental group

Answer 18

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

Question 19

Variable

Answer 19

Any factor that changes in an experiment

Question 20

Independent variable

Answer 20

The variable that is changed by the experimenter on purpose

Question 21

Dependent variable

Answer 21

The variable that is measured

Question 22

The dependent variable change in response to the ______.

Answer 22

Independent variable

Question 23

Constant

Answer 23

Factors that are kept the same between all trials

Question 24

Experimental error

Answer 24

When something affects the results of the experiment by mistake

Question 25

To minimize experimental error, scientists should:

Answer 25

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

Question 26

Invalid data

Answer 26

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

Question 27

Data

Answer 27

Information gained from observations

Question 28

Quantitative data

Answer 28

Numerical data

Question 29

List examples of quantitative data.

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Qualitative data

Answer 30

Descriptions of what our senses detect

Question 31

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

Answer 31

False

Question 32

_____ and _____ are good tools for data analysis.

Answer 32

Tables; graphs

Question 33

The IV is on the _____ axis.

Answer 33

X

Question 34

The DV is on the _____ axis.

Answer 34

Y

Question 35

What if the hypothesis isn't supported?

Answer 35

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

Question 36

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

Answer 36

peer review

Question 37

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

Answer 37

current; reliable

Question 38

Peer review

Answer 38

The process where published experimnets are evalulated by others

Question 39

Why is peer review important?

Answer 39

To make sure experiments are objective and unbiased

Question 40

The metric system is based on...

Answer 40

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

Question 41

What unit of measurement is used for length?

Answer 41

Meter

Question 42

What unit of measurement is used for volume?

Answer 42

Liter

Question 43

What unit of measurement is used for weight/mass ?

Answer 43

Gram

Question 44

Prefixes plus base units make up the _____.

Answer 44

metric system

Question 45

Each prefix in the metric system is based on...

Answer 45

powers of 10.

Question 46

Graph

Answer 46

A visual display of information or data

Question 47

What are line graph's used for?

Answer 47

To show trends or how the data changes over time

Question 48

What are bar graph's used for?

Answer 48

Useful for comparing information collected by counting

Question 49

What are circle/pie graph's used for?

Answer 49

To show a fixed quantity is broken down into parts