Scientific Method

CP BIOLOGY 3

science

the examination, investigation, and exploration of the world around us- involves observation and experimentation

scientific method

A logical, systematic approach to the solution of a scientific problem

scientific method steps

Question/Observe, Research, Hypothesis, Experiment, Analyze the Data, Conclusion

independent variable

variable that is manipulated

dependent variable

variable being measured and the one that responds to the independent variable

constant or control

all the things that stay the same throughout an experiment

experimental group

the group in an experiment that receives the variable being tested (gets the independent variable)

control group

the group that does not receive the experimental treatment.- they are the group you compare results back to

observation

Information obtained through the senses; straight facts

testable question

A question that can be answered by conducting an experiment: should include variables

research

A scientific process that involves the systematic and careful collection of data.

hypothesis

educated guess and prediction about what you think will happen

hypothesis format

If (independent variable), then (dependent variable), because (research)

experiment

a scientific procedure undertaken to make a discovery, test a hypothesis, or demonstrate a known fact: where you can be creative is in this design

how many variables are changed in an experiment

the independent variable is the one and only variable changed in an experiment

analyze data

when you look at the data from the experiment- usually in data tables and graphed results

bar graph

a graph that uses vertical or horizontal bars to show comparisons among two or more items

pie chart

a chart that shows the relationship of a part to a whole

line graph

A graph that uses line segments to show changes that occur over time

conclusion

A summary based on evidence or facts

inference

A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning

quantitative data

numerical data

qualitative data

descriptive data

theory

an explanation based on many observations during repeated experiments

scientific law

an accepted, basic fact that describes the behavior of a natural phenomenon

credible

believable; reliable