Scientific Method/ Introduction to Biology

Purpose

The first step. State the problem that you are attempting to solve. Be specific and avoid broad statements, the more specific your problem the easier you will find a starting point to solve it.

Ex: “Do bean plants grow better in direct sunlight, indirect sunlight, or shade?”

What step of the scientific method is this?

Research

The second step. After stating your problem it is important to do this on your topic. This allows you to form an intelligent hypothesis. Document what you found well by citing all sources used to formulate your ideas. Use a variety of sources; books, webpages, and newspaper articles.

What step of the scientific method is this?

Hypothesis

The third step. It’s an educated guess about the outcome of your experiment, based on your knowledge and research conducted.

Ex: “Bean plants will grow better in direct sunlight than in indirect sunlight or shade.”

What step of the scientific method is this?

Yes

Can your hypothesis be wrong?

Experiment

The fourth step. Develop a procedure to test your hypothesis. It is important to list and have all materials needed to conduct this step properly. Write a procedure to follow, number each step so that others are able to repeat it by reading the procedure. Control your variables.

What step of the scientific method is this?

Independent variable

The variable that is controlled or manipulated by the experimenter.

Dependent variable

The variable that is measured by the experimenter.

Control Group

The group that is not exposed to the independent variable.

A variable

Is anything that can change during an experiment.

Analysis

The fifth step. Record the results of the experiment (Done in a data table or chart.). Find associations and trends in your data. Make connections about the experiment and your results.

What step of the scientific method is this?

Conclusion

Compare the hypothesis to the experiment’s ___________.

Biology

The concept, principles, and theories that allow people to understand the natural environment from the core.

Regulation

Living things keep their inner condition steady as outer conditions change. What is this characteristic of living organisms called?

environment

Living things respond to their _________.What is this characteristic of living organisms called?

reproduce

Living things _______, passing on genetic information to their offspring. What is this characteristic of living organisms called?

grow and develop

Living things _____________ based on the information in their genes. What is this characteristic of living organisms called?

process energy

All living things ____________ to do their living. What is this characteristic of living organisms called?

organized

Life is ________, even in ways that seem chaotic to human eyes. What is this characteristic of living organisms called?

adaptations

Living things have _________ shaped by a history of evolution.

Time on social media

Identify the Independent Variable in this scenario:

Zack wants to determine the amount of time spent on social media has an effect on his anxiety levels.

Anxiety levels

Identify the Dependent Variable in this scenario:

Zack wants to determine the amount of time spent on social media has an effect on his anxiety levels

Temperature of the water

Identify the Independent Variable in this scenario:

Hot water dissolves more sugar than cold water.

Sugar dissolving

Identify the Dependent Variable in this scenario:

Hot water dissolves more sugar than cold water.

Type of detergent

Identify the Independent Variable in this scenario:

Angel wants to know if the type of detergent has an effect on the cleanliness of her clothes.

Cleanliness of the clothes

Identify the Dependent Variable in this scenario:

Angel wants to know if the type of detergent has an effect on the cleanliness of her clothes.

Control

Set of observations used as a reference and compared to experimental observations in order to show that the result is due to experimental treatment.

Data

The numerical values recorded during an experiment or observation.

Theory

A well-supported set of observations and explanations for natural events.