Science Terminology & Hypothesis Writing

bias (def)

what the scientist expects will change how they view the results of an investigation

prediction (def)

use of knowledge to identify or explain observations or explanations in advance

observation (def)

information gathered directly by one or more of the 5 senses & may include use of instrumentation

bias (fill-in-the-blank)

observation has no __________; simply describes something as it appears

inference (def)

an explanation for observation; a conclusion based on evidence, reasoning, or observations; not directly observed

prediction, inference

_____________ something will occur, _________________ something that has happened or is happening

discussion

in a lab report:
inferences do not go in the observation section but instead in the ________________ section.

testable statement

a hypothesis needs to be a ______________

measure

testable if you can ___________ the results

investigation

testable if it can be answered by an ________________

yes, no, books

testable if it is not answered by ________ or ________ or by explanations in __________

skill

testable if it doesn't ask how to perform a __________

better, best

do not use the word __________ or ___________ in a hypothesis; it is unclear

IV, DV

a scientific investigation shows the effect of a single _______ on a ________

hypothesis

the design of the experiment is based on the ____________

If DV is related to IV then the changes in the IV will result in changes in the DV.

formalized hypothesis structure

tentative relationship, prediction

formalized hypothesis is an "If...Then..." statement with a _______________ relationship and _______________

not certain

tentative means ___________

If the amount of plant growth is related to fertilization then small amounts of fertilizer will result in a larger plant.

Ex: Write a formalized hypothesis.
You want to see if a fertilizer can cause plants to grow bigger.

If the time it takes for mold to grow on the cheese is related to the temperature then warmer temperatures will result in the mold growing faster on the cheese.

Ex: Write a formalized hypothesis.
You want to see if cheese develops mold quicker in a warmer temperature.