Understanding the Scientific Method

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Questions and Answers

Match the following steps of the scientific method with their descriptions:

Ask a question = Formulating a testable question based on observations Do research = Conducting research to gain knowledge about the topic being investigated Form a hypothesis = Creating an educated guess about what will happen based on observed patterns Perform an experiment = Designing and conducting an investigation to test the hypothesis

Match the following terms with their meanings in the context of the scientific method:

Hypothesis = An educated guess about what will happen based on observed patterns Variable = A factor that is changed in an experiment to observe its effect on another factor Data = Information collected during an experiment to help answer a scientific question Trial = A single instance of an experiment or investigation

Match the following skills with their roles in scientific investigations:

Observation = Basis for formulating testable questions in the scientific method Research = Gathering knowledge about the topic being investigated Data collection = Using tools to collect information that answers scientific questions Experiment design = Planning and conducting investigations to test hypotheses

Match the following stages of scientific knowledge improvement with their descriptions:

Learning new information = Process that leads to improvement in scientific knowledge Application of knowledge = Using acquired knowledge to solve problems or create new things through engineering design Conducting experiments = Investigative process that contributes to enhancing scientific knowledge Engineering design = Utilizing scientific knowledge to create something new or solve a problem Signup and view all the answers

Match the following features of experiments with their explanations:

Changing a variable = Altering a factor in an experiment to observe its impact on another factor Using tools for data collection = Employing instruments to gather information that aids in answering scientific questions Multiple trials = Repeating an experiment multiple times to ensure reliability and consistency of results Forming cause-and-effect relationships = Establishing connections between changing a factor and observing its outcomes in an experiment Signup and view all the answers

Match the following aspects of scientific investigations with their roles:

Modeling and explaining the world = Utilizing skills and processes to understand and interpret phenomena through scientific means Improving scientific knowledge = Enhancing understanding through learning new information and conducting experiments Problem-solving and creation = Applying scientific knowledge to address issues and innovate through engineering design Conducting experiments and investigations = Utilizing the scientific method to explore and answer questions about the world Signup and view all the answers

Match the following with their descriptions:

Independent variable = The factor that is changed by the experimenter Dependent variable = The factor that changes because of the independent variable Constants = Other factors that can affect the data and must be kept constant Qualitative data = Observable through the senses, like color, texture, and smell Signup and view all the answers

Match the following with their functions:

Analyze the data = Organize and analyze the data to determine answers to testable questions Draw a conclusion = Use the data to form conclusions and support arguments about the studied problem Share the results = Share the results and conclusions with others, and create models to describe findings Collecting and analyzing data = Collect qualitative or quantitative data during experiments and analyze it Signup and view all the answers

Match the following with their roles:

Scientists = Organize and analyze data, draw conclusions, share results, and create models to describe findings Engineers = Use scientific knowledge to solve problems by developing objects, tools, processes, and systems Experimenter = Change the independent variable and keep constants constant during experiments Data analysis = Organize data in tables and graphs, look for patterns, and compare results with other scientists' data Signup and view all the answers

Match the following with their descriptions:

Variables = Factors in the experiment that change and affect the data Quantitative data = Measurable data such as length, time, or number of people Hypothesis = Prediction about how the independent variable will affect the dependent variable Engineering design = Using scientific knowledge to develop objects, tools, processes, and systems Signup and view all the answers

Match the following with their descriptions:

Models = Created to explain findings and describe how data can be used to design solutions to problems Testing = Conducting trials to improve designs using collected data Constants = Factors that must be kept constant to ensure they don’t accidentally affect the results Conclusion development = Developing conclusions and arguments based on evidence from investigations Signup and view all the answers

Variables: Every experiment involves . Variables are factors in the experiment that change. They affect the data. Independent variable: the factor that is changed by the . Dependent variable: the factor that changes because of the independent variable. This is what the experimental measures. Constants: other factors that can affect the data. The experimenter must keep them __, or the same, to make sure they don’t accidentally affect the results.

variables, experimenter, constant Signup and view all the answers

Collecting and analyzing data: Scientists can collect qualitative or data during the experiment. Qualitative data is observable through the senses, like color, texture, and smell. Quantitative data is measurable, like length, time, or number of people. When the trials are over, scientists analyze the . They often organize the data and tables and graphs. They look for patterns that suggest __. They also compare their results with other scientists' data to look for similarities and differences.

quantitative, data, relationships Signup and view all the answers

After an experiment: Finally, scientists develop conclusions and arguments, based on from their investigations. They create models to explain, and share their findings. They also describe how their data can be used to design solutions to . Engineering design: Engineers use scientific knowledge to solve problems by developing objects, tools, processes, and systems. Like scientists, engineers, test what they design, they use their data to improve their __.

evidence, problems, designs Signup and view all the answers

Scientists ask a testable question based on their observations. Do research: scientists research to learn about the topic they’re investigating. Form a hypothesis: scientists form perform an experiment: a hypothesis, or an educated guess, about what they think will happen based on the patterns they’ve seen. This is actually in the form of a cause-and-effect relationship: if we change \underline{_}, then \underline{} will happen.

if we change one variable, then another variable will happen Signup and view all the answers

During the experiment, scientists use tools to collect data that will help answer their \underline{______}.

question Signup and view all the answers

Scientists conduct experiments, or investigations, to answer their questions about the world. They follow a set of procedures, known as the \underline{______} method.

scientific Signup and view all the answers

Scientists can apply their knowledge to solve a problem or create something new through \underline{______} design.

engineering Signup and view all the answers

Scientists use certain skills and processes to investigate, model, and explain the world. As we learn new information, our scientific knowledge \underline{______}.

improves Signup and view all the answers

Scientists form a hypothesis, or an educated guess, about what they think will happen based on the \underline{______} they’ve seen.

patterns Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Scientific Method

Scientists ask a testable question based on their observations
They do research to learn about the topic they're investigating
Form a hypothesis: an educated guess about what they think will happen based on the patterns they've seen
This is in the form of a cause-and-effect relationship: if we change ____, then ____ will happen

Variables

Variables: factors in the experiment that change and affect the data
Independent variable: the factor that is changed by the experimenter
Dependent variable: the factor that changes because of the independent variable
Constants: other factors that can affect the data, which must be kept the same to ensure accurate results

Data Collection and Analysis

Scientists can collect qualitative or quantitative data during the experiment
Qualitative data is observable through the senses, like color, texture, and smell
Quantitative data is measurable, like length, time, or number of people
When the trials are over, scientists analyze the data, often organizing it into tables and graphs
They look for patterns that suggest ______

Experimentation

Scientists conduct experiments, or investigations, to answer their questions about the world
They follow a set of procedures, known as the scientific method
During the experiment, scientists use tools to collect data that will help answer their question

Drawing Conclusions

After an experiment, scientists develop conclusions and arguments based on evidence from their investigations
They create models to explain, and share their findings
They also describe how their data can be used to design solutions to problems

Engineering Design

Engineers use scientific knowledge to solve problems by developing objects, tools, processes, and systems
Like scientists, engineers test what they design and use their data to improve their designs

Improving Scientific Knowledge

As we learn new information, our scientific knowledge improves
Scientists can apply their knowledge to solve a problem or create something new through engineering design

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Description

Explore the key concepts and procedures of the scientific method through this quiz. Learn about how scientists conduct experiments, ask testable questions, and improve scientific knowledge to solve problems or innovate through engineering design.