experiments

Primary purpose of scientific research

To explain variance

Methods of conducting research

Surveys, interviews, observations, tests, biological sampling, records review, assessments

Longitudinal

Study follows groups over time

Cross sectional

One time interactions with groups of people

Experimental research/ what does it entail

A study where a treatment, procedure, or a program is internally introduced and a result/outcome is observed.

Involves manipulating one or more variables.

Independent variable

The change caused by the investigator

Dependent variable

The change measured by the investigator

Experimental group

A group in a study that receives the specific treatment being tested

Control group

Comparison group in a experimental study

Constants

Stays the same throughout

Qualitative

Observations things you cannot count

Quantitative

Numbers things you can count

Positive correlation

When one variable is increased, the value of another variable increases

Negative correlation

When a variable is increased, the value of another variable decreases

Significance

The chance that the result is not random or due to error

Steps of the scientific method

Ask a question, do background research, construct a hypothesis, test with experiment, analyze data, draw conclusion, communicate results

Why do uncontrolled experiments make conclusions unreliable ?

Without proper controls, it’s impossible to determine if the observed affects are caused by the independent variable or other factors potentially leading to incorrect solutions

When to use a bar graph?

Comparing the quantities of different categories

Line graft

Display trends over time

Pie chart

Proportion or percentage of each category

When to use a scatter plot?

Shows relationship between two continuous variables

Steps of the scientific method

Observation, question, hypothesis , experiment, data collection, analysis, conclusion, communication thank you