Unit 1: Critical Thinking Biology (2)

Scientific Inquiry

The use of a system of experimentation and analysis to explore observations and answer questions.

Scientific Method

A systematic process used by scientists to structure their research and answer a single question

Hypothesis

A proposed, testable answer or assumption to a scientific question

Experiment

A procedure carefully designed to test a hypothesis

Independent Variable

The condition or factor that the experimenter deliberately changes or manipulates before the experiment

Dependent Variable

The factor, result, or data that is influenced by and depends on the independent variable

Scientific Theory

A hypothesis that has been repeatedly tested and successfully supported by experimental results

What is the first step of the Scientific Method?

1. Ask a question/identify a problem

What is the second step of the Scientific Method?

2. Conduct background research

What is the third step of the Scientific Method?

Create a hypothesis

What is the fourth step of the Scientific Method?

4.Test the hypothesis (experiment)

What is the fifth step of the Scientific Method?

5. Make observations and collect data

What is the sixth step of the Scientific Method?

6. Analyze results/draw conclusions

What is the seventh step of the Scientific Method?

7.Share results

What is the primary purpose of background research in scientific inquiry?

To make an informed assumption about the answer to your question

What is the next step in the scientific method if a conclusion disproves the original hypothesis?

Go back to the drawing board to change variables, restart the scientific method with a new hypothesis, and test again

Why is scientific inquiry considered a cycle?

Because analyzing results and drawing conclusions often brings up entirely new questions, forcing the process to repeat or adapt

What is the relationship between an Independent Variable and a Dependent Variable?

An independent variable is what you change; the dependent variable is the change you measure as a result. When the independent variable is altered, the dependent variable also changes

How is a scientific hypothesis evaluated in the analysis step?

Scientists examine the results to see if the data supports or refutes the original hypothesis

How do scientists share their results, and why is this step important?

Results are typically shared in scientific journals written by the researchers. This allows the public and fellow scientists to make informed decisions and build upon the findings

What is the purpose of the scientific method?

The scientific method helps scientists structure their research

A(n) blank must be created before the scientific method can be used

inquiry/question

What helps with focusing the scope of the experiment?

A specific question

What is the purpose of doing background research?

Background research is sued to make an assumption about the answer to the question

How do scientists conduct experimentation?

By using scientifc tools and observation

What happens to the dependent variable when a change is made to the independent variable?

The dependent variable will also change

What is the purpose of the sharing results step?

The sharing results step exists for scientists to share their results with the public and with fellow scientists

What is the purpose of the analysis step?

The analysis step allows you to examine your results to see if your hypothesis is supported

If the conclusion proved the hypothesis wrong, what is the next step?

The next step would be to restart the scientific method with a new hypothesis

The process of scientific inquiry can be blank

cycle