Biology Chapter 1 - Scientific Method and Units of Life

What is an experiment?

A test that is conducted in order to test a hypothesis or determine the answer to specific scientific questions

What is the scientific method?

a series of steps in which data is recorded and a conclusion is generated in order to answer a question in science.

What is a hypothesis?

a possible explanation for a set of observations or a possible answer to a scientific question.

What is a manipulated (independent) variable?

a factor in a experiment that the researcher changes on purpose between groups

What is a respondent (dependent) variable?

a factor that changes because of the manipulated (independent) variable

What is a control variable?

factors that are kept the same between experimental groups.

What is a extraneous variable?

variables that cannot be controlled in an experiment.

What is a controlled experiment?

a test of the effect of a single experiment by changing it while keeping all other variables the same.

What is a control group?

a group in an experiment that goes through all of the steps of an experiment but lacks the variable being tested (the manipulated variable)

What is data?

Information gathered through descriptions, interviews, and other non-numerical means.

What is qualitative data?

data that is generated via measurements. Data that is numerical

What is quantitative data?