Starting a Scientific Investigation

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the minimum number of times scientists should repeat an experiment to check validity?

Three times (correct)

Two times

Five times

Ten times

What should a scientist do if results do not match their predictions?

Discard the experiment as invalid

Immediately redo the experiment without changes

Ask peers to redo the experiment

Reassess the experimental design and data (correct)

Why is all data considered good data in science?

It usually confirms earlier results

It has no impact on the final conclusions

It can lead to new hypotheses or insights (correct)

It helps to prove a hypothesis correct

What is a potential reason for a plant in the dark to grow, despite having no sunlight?

Plants have stored sugars for limited growth (B) Signup and view all the answers

When checking for flaws in experimental design, which factor is NOT important?

Time of year the experiment is conducted (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does the scientific method encourage after drawing conclusions?

Proposing a new hypothesis to test (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about experimental results is true?

Repeated experiments increase confidence in the validity of results. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of conducting background research before starting a scientific investigation?

To understand what has already been studied about a topic (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes a hypothesis?

An educated guess about the expected outcome (B) Signup and view all the answers

In the example provided, what was the hypothesis about the effect of sunlight on plant growth?

The plant in sunlight will grow faster than the plant in the dark (C) Signup and view all the answers

What should you do after collecting data in an experiment?

Compare your results to your predictions (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to refer to exact numbers in your assessment?

To provide evidence that supports your claim (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does it indicate if your results support your hypothesis?

The hypothesis is likely correct based on evidence (B) Signup and view all the answers

What could be a reason for unexpected results in an experiment?

The results were influenced by chance due to a single trial (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the format of a hypothesis?

What will happen if we do something (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Starting a Scientific Investigation

Background Research: Essential preliminary step; understand existing knowledge about the topic.
Hypothesis Formulation: Create an "if-then-because" statement based on research. This educated guess predicts expected outcomes.
Example: For plant growth and sunlight, a hypothesis might be: "If one plant is kept in the dark and one in sunlight, then the plant in the dark will not grow because it needs sunlight for photosynthesis."

Analyzing Your Results

Comparing Results to Predictions: Crucial step; data collected aligns with the hypothesis?
Agreement with Hypothesis: If results match predictions (e.g., dark plant doesn't grow), the hypothesis is supported; reasoning likely correct.
Important: Quantifiable data is necessary; evidence must be stated using measurements.
Repeating the Experiment: Repetition is vital for validity; typically 3 times is the minimum, but more repetitions strengthen the validity.

Dealing with Conflicting Results

Unforeseen Results: If results don't match predictions, don't discard the experiment but consider alternate explanations.
Example: If a dark plant grows slightly, investigate reasons beyond initial hypothesis; perhaps stored sugars supply energy.
Further Research: Consult additional sources to develop an alternate hypothesis for unexpected results.
Alternative Hypthosis: Formulate a new hypothesis and repeat the whole procedure.

Validating the Experiment

Experimental Flaws: If results mismatch expectations, scrutinize methodology for errors.
Procedure Review: Examine all aspects of the experiment to ensure accurate measurements using consistent units and timings.
Controlling Variables: Guarantee the same conditions for the plants, or consider additional hypothesis regarding exposure to external variables (light, water or soil).
Experiment Repetition: Multiple trials increase the reliability of data, to further validate the results.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

This quiz covers the essential steps in starting a scientific investigation, including background research, hypothesis formulation, and analyzing results. Learn how to create hypotheses and the importance of data collection and experimentation in validating your predictions. Test your understanding of scientific methods and improve your research skills.