Scientific Method

Before you begin a scientific experiment, you should (Select all that apply)

-state a hypothesis -report on the results -record the data

When determining the scope of an experiment, you need to consider (Select all that apply)

-which data you will collect and plot. -the outcome you will investigate. -the factor that will vary.

Place the four phases of the scientific method in order. -hypothesis -report -experiment -analysis

1. hypothesis 2. experiment 3. analysis 4. report

If you wanted to test whether or not a particular pain reliever was effective in the general population, you would need to design an experiment with an experimental group and a control group. What should be the only difference between these two groups? a. Treatment: The experimental group should get the pain reliever, and the control group should get a placebo b. Sex: The control group would be all women but the experimental group would be all men. c.Source of pain to be treated: The experimental group should have painful body injuries, but the control group should have headaches d. Age: The control group should be all under 40 years old, but the experimental group should be all over 40 e.It does not matter what is different between the two group

a. Treatment: The experimental group should get the pain reliever, and the control group should get a placebo

True or False? You should use the graph generated from your data to see if your hypothesis is supported.

True

Match the action to the appropriate phase of the scientific method a. hypothesis b. experiment c. analysis d. report Match each of the options above to the items below. 1.carry out the strategy, collect measurements 2.formulate a hypothesis and create a strategy 3.draw graphs, evaluate the hypothesis 4.document results

a. hypothesis(1.carry out the strategy, collect measurements) b. experiment (2.formulate a hypothesis and create a strategy) c. analysis (3.draw graphs, evaluate the hypothesis) d. report (4.document results)

In the pillbug experiment, an important part of the experimental strategy was to a. make observations at regular intervals. b. make observations at regular intervals. c. place cornstarch in both sides of each plate. d. make three observations, at 5-minute intervals. e. watch only one pillbug at a time.

a. make observations at regular intervals.

In order to come to reliable conclusions about pillbug preferences, you needed to use the a. scientific method b. modular data method c. pretty graphs and charts d. experimental design method e. hypothetical method

a. scientific method

In the pillbug experiment, how many pillbugs did you need to use to get good information for the experiment? a.1 b. 10 c. 4 d. 100 e. 5

b. 10

In the pillbug experiment, if the pillbugs in the experimental chamber would have moved to the side of the chamber with sand instead of cornstarch, what would you have concluded? a.Pillbugs tend to prefer cornstarch over sand. b. Pillbugs tend to prefer sand over cornstarch. c.Pillbugs did not show a preference when given a choice of substrate.

b. Pillbugs tend to prefer sand over cornstarch.

Imagine that you wish to compare two different diets that will be fed to tadpoles raised in a lab. One diet is a meat-based fish food, and the other is the traditional diet of boiled lettuce. You want to see if the meat-based diet will be associated with an increase in the average weight of the tadpoles. In your experiment you keep all other factors, such as tadpole density per pan, temperature, pH, and the amount of food the same. The only difference between your control and experimental groups is the type of food the tadpoles receive. Which is a good hypothesis for this tadpole experiment? a.Tadpoles fed a meat-based diet will be bigger, but only if in a tank with low numbers. b. Tadpoles will be larger if fed a meat-based diet. c. Tadpole size will be unpredictable if fed a meat-based diet. d. Tadpoles will be larger if the pH is higher.

b. Tadpoles will be larger if fed a meat-based diet.

When graphing your data, it is important to a. utilize 3-D effects to enhance the appearance of your graph. b. place the dependent variable on the Y-axis. c.never try to use a bar graph. d.place the dependent variable on the X-axis.

b. place the dependent variable on the Y-axis.

In the pillbug experiment, your hypothesis a.had to be supported by your data (proving your hypothesis was true). b.was related to the environment pillbugs prefer. c. was related to the food pillbugs prefer. d. was formulated after you completed the experiment

b.was related to the environment pillbugs prefer.

When utilizing the scientific method, there are two types of variables. They are a. x variant and y variant b. hypothetical and experimental c. dependent and independent d. positive and negative

c. dependent and independent

Imagine that you wish to compare two different diets that will be fed to tadpoles raised in a lab. One diet is a meat-based fish food, and the other is the traditional diet of boiled lettuce. You want to see if the meat-based diet will be associated with an increase in the average weight of the tadpoles. In your experiment you keep all other factors, such as tadpole density per pan, temperature, pH, and the amount of food the same. The only difference between your control and experimental groups is the type of food the tadpoles receive. What is the independent variable for the tadpole diet experiment? a. tadpole size b. lab conditions c. diet d. species tadpole

c. diet

In the pillbug experiment, the substance used as the control was a. the dish b. cornstarch c. sand d. water

c. sand

When graphing your data, it is important that you a.place the dependent variable on the x-axis b. always use a line c. use colors that will be attractive in your report d. place the independent variable on the x-axis

d. place the independent variable on the x-axis

There are two, two-sided dishes in the pillbug experiment. In one dish, you should have placed sand in both sides. In the other dish, you should have placed ______ in one side and ______ in the other. a. sand;pillbugs b. cornstarch;pillbugs c. cornstarch;cornstarch d. sand;cornstarch e. It does not matter what is placed in the second dish.

d. sand;cornstarch

Some students consume large amounts of caffeinated drinks to help them stay alert when studying. You notice that many who engage in this practice seem to do poorly on exams. Suppose you want to investigate the relationship between caffeine consumption and exam performance. Which of the following statements would be an appropriate hypothesis? a.Caffeine increases alertness but also increases anxiety. b.Many students consume large amounts of caffeine while studying to try to improve their exam scores. c. One should avoid consuming too much caffeine while studying. d. Too much caffeine is harmful to your health. e. Students who consume large amounts of caffeine while studying have lower exam scores than students that consume less caffeine while studying.

e. Students who consume large amounts of caffeine while studying have lower exam scores than students that consume less caffeine while studying.

True or False? After a period of time, most of the pillbugs appeared to spend most of their time on the side of the dish with sand, not cornstarch.

false

True or False? If the hypothesis in a scientific experiment is not supported, the experiment is considered a complete failure and must be repeated until a satisfactory outcome is reached.

false

True or False? In the pillbug experiment, it is important that measurements be taken twice: once at the beginning of the experiment, and once at the end of the experiment.

false

True or False? You do not need to pause to record your data as you perform your experiment. You can go back and estimate the values when the experiment is complete.

false