Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following best describes an observation?
Which of the following best describes an observation?
- A conclusion drawn from prior knowledge
- An inference based on prior knowledge
- Something that can be directly seen, tasted, touched, heard, or smelled (correct)
- A prediction about a future event
What is an inference?
What is an inference?
- Something that can be directly seen, tasted, touched, heard, or smelled
- An explanation that can be tested
- A conclusion drawn from prior knowledge (correct)
- A prediction about a future event
What is the purpose of a prediction in an experiment?
What is the purpose of a prediction in an experiment?
- To change the independent variable
- To measure the dependent variable
- To make a statement about what will happen (correct)
- To explain the relationship between variables
What is a hypothesis?
What is a hypothesis?
What is an independent variable?
What is an independent variable?
What is a dependent variable?
What is a dependent variable?
What are controlled or constant variables in an experiment?
What are controlled or constant variables in an experiment?
Why is it important to keep controlled variables the same in an experiment?
Why is it important to keep controlled variables the same in an experiment?
Why is a larger sample size preferred in an experiment?
Why is a larger sample size preferred in an experiment?
What is the purpose of conducting an experiment?
What is the purpose of conducting an experiment?
Study Notes
Understanding the Nature of Science and Experimental Design
- Observations are direct information gathered through the five senses.
- Inferences are conclusions drawn based on prior knowledge and observations.
- Predictions are statements about what will occur in an experiment.
- Hypotheses are testable explanations for a prediction.
- In an experiment, the independent variable is what is changed.
- The dependent variable is what is observed or measured.
- Controlled variables are factors that are kept constant in an experiment.
- It is important to have a large sample size in an experiment for more accurate data.
- The more reviews something has, the more reliable the feedback is.
- The researcher in the example is curious about how light affects plant growth.
- The researcher changes the amount of light as the independent variable.
- The height of the plants is measured as the dependent variable.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the nature of science and important vocabulary words related to observations and inferences. Learn how to distinguish between observations and inferences based on the five senses and their application in experiments.
