Chapter 1.2

What is a hypothesis?

An explanation for a question or a problem that can be formally tested.

How is a hypothesis tested?

By conducting an experiment.

In an experiment, the group in which all conditions are kept the same

Control Group

The condition being observed or measured in an experiment

Dependent Variable

A procedure that tests a hypothesis by collecting information under controlled conditions

Experiment

In an experiment, the group in which all conditions are kept the same except for the one being tested

Experimental Group

The condition that is changed by the experimenter

Independent variable

What is meant by scientific methods?

The common steps that scientists use to gather information and answer questions.

When ________ are reported in ________, other scientists may try to ________ the results by repeating the ________ . Usually when a(n) ________ is supported by data from several scientists, it is considered ________. Over time, a hypothesis that is supported by many observations and experiments becomes a ________. Some well-established facts of nature, such as gravity, are recognized as ________.

experimental results scientific journals verify experiment(s) hypothesis valid theory laws