Name ______

Period _____

SCIENTIFIC METHOD TEST STUDY GUIDE

1. List the seven steps of the Scientific Method IN ORDER (and memorize them).

problem

research

hypothesis

materials

procedure

results

conclusion

2. Define the following terms: Use your blue Scientific Method Lab Report Form and your notes to complete.

Scientific Method: an organized and logical way to solve a problem

Hypothesis: an educated guess

Observation: any information we take in through our senses

Inference: an attempt to explain your observation; a guess based on your best judgment about your observation

Scientific Problem: 1st step of the S.M. – what you are trying to solve

Procedure: the directions; steps to solving the problem

Conclusion: the end results – 5 sentences

Results: contains data, time and date

Qualitative Observations: observations that you see, hear, smell – using your senses.

Quantitative Observations: observations that are records, temperature, time, using numbers.

Variable: anything than changes in an experiment

Dependent Variable: a variable that is measured – after the word “then” in the hypothesis

Independent Variable: a variable that changes, what the scientist manipulates – after the word “if” in the hypothesis

Control/Constant: things that remain the same in the experiment; the rules, allows for a fair experiment

3. When should you use pronouns when writing a Science Lab Report? Research & conclusion

4. Is it necessary to include a number representation of the data when writing science experiment lab report? Why?

Yes – provides accurate data

5.Label each step of the following experiment with the proper step of the Scientific Method:

SOAP BOAT LAB

Which Step? ______: If you change the type of soap then it will have an effect on the movement of the soap boat because the soaps have different properties. Hypothesis

Which Step: ______:Does the type of soap have an effect on the movement of the Soap Boat? Problem

Which Step? ______: My family has a boat and we go to the lake often to use it. Research

Which Step? ______: Materials

Index CardPowder Soap

ScissorsClean Water

Liquid SoapRound, flat container

Bar SoapRuler

Which Step? ______: Procedure

  1. Fill the container half full of water.
  2. Cut a triangle out of the index card (2” high and 1” wide). This is your boat.
  3. Cut a smaller triangle out of the bottom of the boat. This is where the boat’s motor goes.
  4. Place your boat in the water near the edge of the container. Observe the motion of the boat.
  5. Remove the boat from the water.
  6. Place a drop of the liquid soap on your finger and touch it just inside the V notch of the boat. Gently place the boat back in the container of water, soapy side down. Observe the motion.
  7. Repeat this process two more times … three times total.
  8. Try different types of soaps.
  9. Cut out different boat styles to see which kind goes fastest.

Which Step? ______: Results

August 31, 2010 4:00 p.m.

Data Table:

Soap Type / Distance Moved
Powdered / 2 cm
Liquid / 14 cm
Bar / 5 cm
15
14
13
12
11
Distance / 10
9
Traveled / 8
7
(cm) / 6
5
4
3
2
1

Bar Liquid Powder

Soap Type

The data showed that liquid soap moved the boat a further distance than the other types of soaps.

Which Step? ______: Conclusion

If you change the type of soap then it will have an effect on the movement of the soap boat because the soaps have different properties. The hypothesis was supported.