concept 1.3: in studying nature, scientists form and test hypotheses

define inquiry

the search for information and explanations of natural phenomena

define science

meaning “to know”

qualitative data

recorded descriptions

quantitiative data

expressed as numerical measurement, organized into tables and graphs

inductive reasoning

collecting and analyzing observations can lead to conclusions based on inductive reasoning that draws generalized conclusions from a large number of specific observations

define theory

supported by a large body of evidence in comparison to a hypothesis

francis bertody sumner

hypothesized that the color patterns has evolved as adaptations to protect the mice from predators

hopi hoekstra

tested the hypothesis of fracis bertody sumner and found that mice would evolve to have the color of their fur camouflage into their surroundings

independent variable

the variable being manipulated by the researchers

dependent variable

the variable that is changed by the independent variable