Scientific Method and Experiment Design

Flashcards for reviewing the scientific method and biological diagrams.

Scientific Method

A way of finding out more about an observation or question through investigation.

Why certain steps must be followed during a scientific investigation

To make the investigation valid so that other scientists will accept the findings.

First four steps of the Scientific Method

Make an observation, ask a question, formulate a hypothesis, design an experiment

A hypothesis must:

A statement that must contain both variables and state the independent variable first.

Control in an experiment

Eliminates the independent variable in order to compare the results.

Fixed or Controlled Variables

Factors that are kept the same to ensure a valid/fair experiment.

Independent Variable

The variable you control or manipulate.

Dependent Variable

The variable you measure, depends on the independent variable.

What makes results more reliable?

Using a group of at least 10 AND repeating your experiment

Rules for drawing biological diagrams

Must use a sharp pencil. Drawings must be a decent size so that all parts can be seen clearly

How to plot graphs:

Plot the independent variable on the x-axis and the dependant variable on the y-axis