1 Experiments & the Scientific Method

Study.com College Biology 101

Analysis in the Scientific Method

You perform this step of the scientific method when you compare the results of an experiment to the prediction you made in your hypothesis.

Dependent Variable

A scientific variable that will change depending on other variables. In an experiment where you apply water to paper to see what happens, paper is the dependent variable.

Observation in the Scientific Method

Completing this part of the scientific method involves observing any results that occur during your experiment.

Scientific Law

These are scientific statements that are viewed as facts and have yet to be disproven, such as Mendels laws.

Bar Chart

A kind of chart that shows information in proportional rectangular bars. This is useful for comparing amounts.

Independent Variable

The variable in an experiment that won't change based on another variable. If you are testing the response of a plant to fertilizer then the fertilizer is this variable.

Pie Chart

You can use this chart if you want to easily show percentages of a given subject. It consists of a circle divided into different sections.

Conclusion in the Scientific Method

Scientists complete this step in the scientific method when they summarize their findings and state whether or not their initial hypothesis was correct.

Flow Chart

A chart that is useful if you are trying to show relationships and conceptual information. It shows how concepts relate to one another.

Controlled Experiments

This kind of experiment only tests one factor at a given time. In order to conduct this kind of experiment you must make sure that your variables are the same for all subjects being tested.

Scientific Theory

A term used to describe a scientific hypothesis that has been accepted after being tested by multiple scientists who all reach the same conclusion.

Line Graph

This can be used to show relationships between variables but little else. It includes two axes that you can use to represent different variables.

Scientific Method

This term is used to describe the procedures used by scientists when they are working to increase what they know about the world.