Scientific Method Review Packet

Living Environment

Name___________________

Date: ________________

Line Graph

HW: Scientific Method Questions ______________

Due: _____________________

Words you should know:

Independent variable, dependent variable, constants, control group, data, graph, hypothesis, research, analysis, conclusion, theory, microscope, slide, cover slip, coarse adjustment, fine adjustment, placebo, inference, sample size.

Scientific Method Review Sheet

Measuring

· Mass: the amount of molecules in an object, measured with a triple beam balance, units are grams

· Volume: the amount of space an object takes up, units are ml or cm3

o Liquid volume measured with a graduated cylinder or beaker

o Volume of a cube = LxWxH

o Irregular Objects = drop them in a beaker of water and measure how much the water level rises (displacement)

· Distance: measured with a ruler, units are cm

Variables

· Independent variable: the condition you change

· Dependent variable: the condition you observe or measure

· Constants: the conditions that have to stay the same

Control Group

· A group that gets no treatment or can be given a placebo or sugar pill

· Used for a comparison

Research

· Done before a lab, must be a true fact, have a valid source, and be relevant to the lab question

Hypothesis

· An educated guess as to the outcome of the lab based on research

· If…. Then….. Because

· Can be proven true or false after data is collected

Procedure

· Step by step instructions on how to complete a lab

· Should be detailed and specific

Data Collection

· Data should be organized into a chart

· Independent variable in the left hand column and dependent variable in the right

Graphing

· Graph must have a title, X vs. Y

· Label each axis (independent on X and dependent on Y)

· Must have consistent scales (1, 2, 3, 4, or 5, 10, 15, 20)

· Circle points before connecting

Conclusion

· The results of your experiment or the answer to your question, written in a CEI format

Biotic and Abiotic

· Biotic = living (ex: tree, rose bush, Miss Pera, cat)

· Abiotic = nonliving (ex: water, oxygen, chair, rock)

Characteristics of life

· Living things must meet all 9 in order to be considered living

o Organization

o Composed of cells

o Reproduce

o Growth

o Development

o Respond to surroundings

o Uses Energy

o Adapt:

o Evolve

In order for a conclusion to be valid…

1. The experiment must have a large sample size

2. The experiment must be able to be repeated by other scientists and they must come to the same conclusion

3. All variables should be held constant (other than your independent variable)

Words you may see:

Control group: the group that gets no treatment and is used for a comparison

Placebo: a sugar pill given to half the patients in a drug experiment… scientist will look at the results of the group given the drug and compare them to the placebo group

Theory: a conclusion or best guess based on the facts available, it is generally accepted by the scientific community, theories are always subject to change and improvement

Inference: a conclusion based on research

Safety Procedures:

1. always wear safety goggles when working with acids

2. point test tubes away from faces when theating chemicals

3. tie long hair back in a ponytail when working with chemicals

4. wear rubber gloves when working with dangerous chemicals

5. no running or horse play in the lab

6. do not eat in the lab

Scientific Method Review Questions