Question | Answer |
why do we use the scientific method or experimental method? | to solve problems |
how many steps does the scientific method have? | 6 |
what are the steps of the scientific method? | 1.state the problem
2. form a hypothesis
3. do a controlled experiment
4. analyze the data
5. make a conclusion
6. verify the conclusion |
why is stating the problem an important part of the method? | clearly stated problems help to focus your attention on how to solve them, and you need to know what your problem is before you solve it |
how do you form a hypothesis? | by researching your topic |
what is the purpose of researching? | you may find new information so that you can better predict the solution to your problem and become more educated on your topic |
what is a hypothesis? | an educated guess |
How should your hypothesis be written: question or statement? | statement |
What makes an experiment controlled? | an experiment that attempts to look at just one factor (or one variable) that could help answer the original problem |
what is a control group? | is a reference and everything stays the same |
what is an experimental group? | everything in the group stays the same except one factor (variable) |
how do scientists record their data? | pen and paper/on a computer/photography/audio recordings/etc... |
when should scientists record their data? | Immediately, if you rely on your memory even for a little it may fail you |
what makes an experiment good? | keeping records of what you do and make sure you observe, measure, record your results |
what is data? | pieces of information |
why should scientists verify their experiment? | we as humans make mistakes so we need to double check our observations and repeat them to make sure they are correct |
what is quantitative data? | data that is measurable or numerical "quantity" |
what is qualitative data? | does not involve the use of numbers or measurements, but rather is a description of an event or conditons |
why do scientists prefer to use quantitative data? | it is less effected by bias than qualitative data |
why are graphs useful? | separates and organizes data into one location that is visual and clear also makes relationships visible |
why is it important to analyze your data? | you may see a trend or see that one factor caused the change |
why is it important that conclusions relate to the hypothesis? | so that it can account for the data |
how are conclusions made? | by looking through all the data and personal judgements and coming up with an answer that can best fit the problem |
Why is it important that conclusions remain simple? | you don't want to over extend your results to claim something that has not been tested thoroughly |
Name 2 different ways that you can verify a conclusion? | 1.can form a different experiment that could lead to similar results
2.make a prediction based on the solution and then test whether the prediction is accurate |
Why could an experiment not be verified? | the equipment could have malfunctioned |
Give an example of when the scientific method may include more or less steps? | less- if you were to study the stars you cannot experiment on them |
what is a theory? give an example | long-day theory |
what is a law? give an example | Neuton's laws of motion |
what is the big difference between a theory or a law | theory-tested hypothesis, ideas that have been tested by many experiments or observations
law-known fact, are chosen to describe consistent patterns of phenomena in nature |
what is a miracle | nature is changed or modified |
what makes a good law | laws are chosen no discovered therefore you must choose carefully |
how do scientist communicate | talk on the phone, email, text, and meet up with the person |
why does it take courage for scientist to communicate findings? | not everyone is going to agree with you |
why is it beneficial for scientists to communicate findings? | you could get feedback from your fellow scientists and new ideas |
what is pride? | arrogance |
how is pride dangerous to science? | if you don't know an answer, you will pretend to if your prideful and this can hurt your experiment, or leave other confused on how to work you experiment |
what are some limitations in collecting data? | some phenomenons are too small, occur to quickly, or happen to far away |
Why can we not collect data in the spiritual realm? | science cannot deal with it, no physical senses to collect data with, if you cannot obeserve something then it cannot be tested by scientific method |
what are universal statements? | all or none statements |
How can we make mistakes as scientists? | misunderstand
miscalculate
misapply information |
what are some limitations in science? | science cannot make value judgements, cannot prove universal statements, cannot establish truth, is limited by the persons who practice it |