Lecture 3 Notes - Scientific Method

Fill-in-the-blank flashcards covering key concepts of the Scientific Method from Lecture 3.

__ is employing your five senses to perceive objects or events.

Observation

Asking a __ is based on observations; one or more questions are generated.

Question

A __ is a statement made in advance that states the results that will be obtained from testing the hypothesis.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is often written in the form of an __ statement.

if-then

__ is testing a hypothesis or prediction by gathering data under controlled conditions.

Experimenting

In a controlled experiment, the group that does not receive the experimental treatment is the __ group.

control

In a controlled experiment, the group that receives the experimental treatment is the __ group.

experimental

Both groups were identical except for one factor ( __ ) variable.

independent

Observations and measurements are taken for the __ variable in both groups.

dependent

The factor that is deliberately changed to observe its effect is the __ variable.

independent

__ involves placing observations and measurements (data) in order using graphs, charts, tables, or maps.

Organizing data

involves determining whether data are reliable or whether they support or do not support a hypothesis.

Analyzing data

are made on the basis of facts, not observations.

Conclusions

A conclusion should __ the hypothesis.

support

Conclusions should be __.

re-testable

is the technique of using a sample — a small part — to represent the entire population.

Sampling

data refers to information that isn't numbers.

Qualitative data

involves quantitative data that can be measured in numbers.

Measuring