CH

Unit 0: Nature of Science Study Guide

Part 1: The Scientific Method

  1. What are the six steps of the scientific method?  observation/State your question  do your research by reading scholarly/scientific articles  formula hypothesis with testable predictions  gather data to test predictions experiment with multiple trials Analyze data and develop theories

  2.  what kind of data should you gather for the  scientific method?  quantitative or qualitative data

  3.  what is quantitative data?  numerical measurements and calculations

  4.  what is qualitative data?   observations using your senses and written in note form

  1. Parts of an Experiment

  1.  what are variables  any factor that can change an experiment

  2.  What are the three types of variables independent dependent and controlled  variables

  3. Independent variable a variable that is altered by the person experimenting and is the “cause” for other changes

  4.  what is the  dependent variable the variable that is changed because of the independent variable and it's the effect of what you cause

  5.  what is a controlled variable  a variable that could affect the dependent variable but they are kept constant throughout the experiment

  6.  what is a constant something in an experiment that cannot be changed by the person conducting the experiment ( gravity,  speed of light)

  7.  what is the control group  The Standard to which your results can be compared to

II.  hypotheses and how to write them

  1.  what is a hypothesis proposed explanation made on the basis of limited evidence

  2.  how do you always begin a hypothesis by determining your variables

  3.  what are the two types of hypotheses a null hypothesis (H0) and alternative hypothesis (H1)

  4. What is a null hypothesis a hypothesis that suggests that there is no relationship between two variables

  5.  What are some examples of a null hypothesis ex.1  the amount of heads versus Tails when the coin is flipped is equal ex.2  if I eat more candy my blood sugar reading will not be affected ( the two variables,  candy consumption and blood sugar are not related)

  6.  Wat is an alternative hypothesis a hypothesis that suggests variables

  7.  what is an example of a setup for the research or observations If….., then…..because

III.

IV. Graphs

  1.  what is the x-axis on the graph  represent  the independent variable

  2.  what does the y-axis on the graph represent the dependent variable

  3.  what is DRY MIX - mnemonic device (Dependent Responding Y-axis) ( Manipulated Independent X-axis)

  4.  when would you do for all axis on a graph  label them ( title,  units( measurement)

  5.  what are the two types of grass we're going to use in biology  a line graph and a bar graph

  6.  when should you use a line graph used for relationship between two continuous types of data and when both  axes are typically numerical

  7.  when do you use a bar graph when you need to compare things between two groups ( usually categories)

Part 2: Scientific Measurement

  1. S.I.

  1.  how are measurements and signs always done using the International System of Units (aka S.I. Units or Metric System)

II. Base Units of S.I.

  1.  what are the base units of Si  (g)grams (For mass)  (m)meters ( for distance)  and (l) liters ( for liquid volume)

  2. What can milliliters be converted to  centimeters (1 mL = 1 cm^3)

III. S.I. Prefixes

  1. What can SI prefixes be added to decrease or increase the size of a measurement  the base units

  2.  what are some common small prefixes Millie centy Desi

  3.  what are some common large prefixes deca hecto kilo