Name:
Reference
Scientific Processes:
Observe (what do you notice?)
Formulate a question
Develop a hypothesis
Design an experiment (identify variables)
Conduct experiment & collect data
Analyze data
Form a conclusion or explanation
Hypothesis:
If (how are you manipulating the independent variable), then (what do you predict will happen to the dependent variable?) because (why do you think that will happen?)...
Independent variable: The factor that you wish to test and that is manipulated or changed so that it can be tested (also called manipulated variable).
Dependent variable: The factor that you measure to gather results. You are trying to see if the independent variable affects the dependent variable (also called responding variable)
A scientific conclusion is made up of 3 parts:
Claim (does the data support the hypothesis? what is the answer to the question that you are investigating?) Evidence (what did you do and what data did you collect?)
Reasoning (includes scientific rule or principle that explains why the data supports the claim)
<- Triple beam balance: used to measure mass in grams Spring scale: used to measure force ->
<- Graduate cylinder: used to measure the volume of a liquid in mL
Erlenmeyer flask: used to store and mix chemicals ->
<- Beaker: used for holding and pour liquids (measure first in graduated cylinder since those are more accurate)
Inquiry Vocabulary
# Term Definition
1 Bias A slanted point of view. Scientists want to avoid bias and be as objective as possible.
2 constants All of the factors that are the same in both the experimental group and the control group.
3 control group
This is the group that you compare the results from your experimental group to. It gives you baseline data. It should be identical to the experimental group except for the independent variable.
4 controlled experiment An experiment in which a control is used for comparison against your experimental group.
5 credibility A quality of being trusted. In science, objective data is used to determine if claims are credible.
6 dependent variable
The factor that you measure to gather results. You are trying to see if the independent variable affects the dependent variable (also called responding variable)
7 hypothesis A tentative explanation for an observation or scientific problem that can be tested by further investigation.
8 independent variable The factor that you wish to test and that is manipulated or changed so that it can be tested (also called manipulated variable).
9 inference A logical conclusion drawn from the available evidence or prior knowledge. These are made from observations.
10 observation An act of noting and recording an event, characteristic or anything else detected with an instrument or with your senses.
11 operational definitions A description of the way in which you will measure the dependent variable.
12 prediction What you expect to happen based on your observations and prior knowledge.
13 qualitative This type of observation or data includes descriptions of sights, sounds, smells & textures.
14 quantitative This type of observation or data includes numbers or measurements (time, temperature, mass, distance, etc).
15 reliability The extent to which an experiment, test, or measuring procedure yields the same results on repeated trials.
16 trends A general direction in which something is developing or changing.
17 validity The quality of being logically or factually sound (data must be collected carefully to be valid).
18 variable Any factor that can change in in a controlled experiment or observation or model.
