Unit 0: Nature of Science Study Guide

What are the six steps of the scientific method?

Observation, State your question, Do research, Formulate hypothesis, Gather data, Analyze data and develop theories.

What kind of data should you gather for the scientific method?

Quantitative or qualitative data.

What is quantitative data?

Numerical measurements and calculations.

What is qualitative data?

Observations using your senses and written in note form.

What are variables?

Any factor that can change an experiment.

What are the three types of variables?

Independent, dependent, and controlled variables.

What is an independent variable?

A variable that is altered by the person experimenting and is the 'cause' for other changes.

What is the dependent variable?

The variable that is changed because of the independent variable; it is the effect of what you cause.

What is a controlled variable?

A variable that could affect the dependent variable but is kept constant throughout the experiment.

What is a constant?

Something in an experiment that cannot be changed by the person conducting the experiment.

What is the control group?

The standard to which your results can be compared.

What is a hypothesis?

A proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence.

How do you always begin a hypothesis?

By determining your variables.

What are the two types of hypotheses?

Null hypothesis (H0) and alternative hypothesis (H1).

What is a null hypothesis?

A hypothesis that suggests there is no relationship between two variables.

Give an example of a null hypothesis.

The amount of heads versus tails when a coin is flipped is equal.

What is an alternative hypothesis?

A hypothesis that suggests a relationship between variables.

What is the format for a hypothesis setup?

If….., then….. because.

What does the x-axis on a graph represent?

The independent variable.

What does the y-axis on a graph represent?

The dependent variable.

What is DRY MIX?

Mnemonic device: Dependent Responding Y-axis, Manipulated Independent X-axis.

What should you do for all axes on a graph?

Label them with title and units.

What are the two types of graphs used in biology?

Line graph and bar graph.

When should you use a line graph?

To show the relationship between two continuous types of data.

When should you use a bar graph?

When you need to compare things between two groups, usually categories.

How are measurements always done?

Using the International System of Units (S.I. Units or Metric System).

What are the base units of S.I.?

Grams (g), meters (m), and liters (l).

What can milliliters be converted to?

Centimeters (1 mL = 1 cm^3).

What can SI prefixes be added to?

To decrease or increase the size of a measurement.

What are some common small prefixes in S.I.?

Milli, centi, deci.

What are some common large prefixes in S.I.?

Deca, hecto, kilo.