Chapter 2 Scientific Methods

_____________ are verbal or graphical explanations for how a system works or is organized

Conceptual Models

________ is the linear dependence between two variables.

Correlation

_________ are procedures that are carried out under ______ conditions to discover, demonstrate or _____ a fact, theory , or general truth.

Experiments, controlled, test

______ are often used by scientists to display relationships or trends in the data.

Graphs

A controlled experiment is an experiment

In which everything is held constant except the variable being tested.

What is the process of obtaining information by using the senses called?

Observation

The scientific method

Observation Hypothesis/ Predict Experiment Analyze Conclusions Repeat Share

When using experimental methods, scientists base most if their questions on ?

Observations

________ are the ones who interpret the data and write the equations.

People

____ are statements made in _____ that express the results that will be obtained from testing a hypothesis if the hypothesis is supported.

Prediction, advance

The group that receives the experimental treatment is called the _____________

controlled group

When the use of experiments to answer questions is impossible or unethical scientists test predictions by examining _______

correlations

Mathematical models are only as good as the _____ that went into building them.

data

The pieces of information collected during an experiment are called

data

____ if any piece of information acquired through ____ or __________

data, observation and experimentation

A __________ is a conceptual model that provides a systematic process for making decisions.

decision making model

It is important that any hypothesis can be _______.

disapproved

Decision making models can be used to help you make decisions about _____ issues which can be very _____.

environmental, difficult

The group that does not receive an experimental treatment is called the ____________

experimental group

The ________ is the group in the experiment that is identical to the control group except for one factor ( the _____) and is compared with controls group.

experimental group, variable

A ____________ diagram is an example of a conceptual model

flow-chart

A ______ is a theory or explanation that is based on observation and that can be tested.

hypothesis

Scientists look for a ____ amount of supporting evidence before they accept a hypothesis.

large

______ and ____ are the most common examples of graphical models.

maps and charts

______________ are one or more equations that represent the way system or process works

mathematical models

Measures such as _____ and ______ are used to describe populations and events.

means and probabilities

A hypothesis is ______ a simply guess.

not

A teacher picks up a ball on a string and swings in a circle to represent the orbit of the moon around the Earth, The teacher is using a ________ model.

physical

Scientists often____ their experiments

repeat

All models

represent an object or system

Scientists determine the ______ of the experiment by _____ their data and _____ the outcome of their experiments with their _________

results, analyzing, compare and prediction

The more often an experiment can be repeated with the ___ results, in different places and by different people, the more sure scientists become about the reliability of their conclusions

same

________ is an essential first step in solving environmental problems.

scientific research

Scientists publish their results to ______ what they have learned with other scientists

share

Organizing data into _____ and graphic illustrations ___ scientists ________ scientists ______ the data and explain the data clearly to others.

tables, help, analyze

A prediction is used to ____ a hypothesis.

test

In addition to being a possible answer to a question, a scientific hypothesis must be?

testable

Which of the following activities is not part of the experimental method?

testing hypothesis with experiments

Conceptual models show

the way that a system fits together

All mathematical models

use variable

To test for one variable, scientists usually study two groups or situations at one time with the ______ being the only difference between the two groups.

variable

The ______ is the factor that _____ in an experiment in order to test a hypothesis.

variable. changes

Mathematical models are especially useful in cases with many_______, such as the many things that affect the __________.

variables, weather

Conceptual models can also be ______ descriptions or even______

verbal, drawings

List 2 things experiments should have:

1- a single variable is tested 2- A control is used

List 4 steps in decision making model

1- gather material 2- consider values 3- explore consequences 4- make a decision

Observing is the _____ step of the Experimental method.

1st

Forming a hypothesis is the _____ step of the experimental method.

2nd

Which of the following definitions best describes statistics?

A branch of mathematics used to summarize, characterize, analyze, and compare data.

What is the method of a series of steps that scientists worldwide use to identify and answer questions called? It is also called the Experimental Method

Scientific method

The primary purpose of the experimental method is?

Solve problems

__________ is a powerful tool for evaluating information about the environment

Statistics

The best way to ensure an accurate probability is to get _______

The largest possible same size

_____ are principles or standards that an individual considers to be important.

Values

Which of the following actions is a scientists least likely to take after drawing conclusions from the results of an experiment?

ask a new question

________are useful for comparing the data for several things in one group.

bar Graphs

An experiment is performed when questions that arise from observations ____ be answered with additional observations.

cannot

Experiments should be designed to pinpoint ___ and _____ relationships.

cause and effect

Scientists use statistics to _____, ____ ,and _______.

classify, organize and interpret data

A decision making model is an example of a _____ model

conceptual

This comparison provides the scientists with an obvious_____. But often it is not obvious!

conclusion

The ____________ is the group in the experiment that serves as a standards of comparison.

control group