Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of a scientific hypothesis?
When should a scientific hypothesis be written?
What is a characteristic of a well-written scientific hypothesis?
What is the first step in creating a scientific hypothesis?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of research is important to gather during preliminary research?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it important to gather research from multiple sources during preliminary research?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key aspect of a good scientific hypothesis?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the primary purpose of conducting preliminary research?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a characteristic of a well-written scientific hypothesis?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of a poorly-written scientific hypothesis?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it important to develop a scientific hypothesis?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of forming a hypothesis?
Signup and view all the answers
What is an example of a well-written scientific hypothesis?
Signup and view all the answers
What should a good scientific hypothesis predict?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is it important to avoid using opinions in a scientific hypothesis?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
What is a Scientific Hypothesis
- A scientific hypothesis is a testable, clear statement about what will happen in a science experiment, based on observations and prior knowledge.
- It is written before an experiment takes place to determine if the experiment supports or refutes the hypothesis.
How to Create and Develop a Hypothesis
- Step 1: Ask a question that is specific and can be researched using who, what, when, where, why, or how.
- Examples of questions: How does sleep deprivation affect driving performance? What flavor of ice cream melts the fastest?
- Step 2: Conduct preliminary research using reliable sources, case studies, and own observations or prior knowledge.
- Gather research that addresses all sides of the question.
- Step 3: Answer the initial question based on preliminary research.
- Step 4: Write a hypothesis that includes the variables being studied and the predicted result of the experiment.
Characteristics of a Good Hypothesis
- A good hypothesis is testable and clearly states the relationship between the variables being tested.
- It should not be written as a question or an opinion.
- It should include the variables being studied and the predicted outcome of the experiment.
Examples of Scientific Hypotheses
- "If a person experiences more sleep deprivation, then their driving performance will be negatively impacted."
- "If a person gets 8 hours of sleep at night, then their memory during the day will improve."
- "If teeth are brushed twice a day, then a person is less likely to develop cavities."
Examples of Poor Hypotheses
- "It doesn't matter if you do your homework or not." (cannot be tested and lacks specific variables)
- "Lightning is caused by ghosts in the sky." (cannot be tested)
- "Fertilizer is better for flowers than it is for vegetable plants." (uses the word "better" which is an opinion)
- "Ice cream tastes the best at midnight" (an opinion and cannot be tested)
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Learn about the concept of a scientific hypothesis, its definition, and its importance in the scientific method. Understand how to write a clear and testable hypothesis before conducting an experiment.