Science - TARGET 14 - DATA

Science - TARGET 14 - DATA

by KELLY COOTS

​EMPIRICAL

adjective

​

provable or verifiable by experience or experiment.

​

​Evidence

noun

​

that which tends to prove or disprove something; ground for belief; proof.

​

Multiple Choice

Empirical observations are made when information is measured using a tool. Students make posters to display the results of their plant growth investigations in the hall outside their classrooms. Which of the following would NOT be an example of a poster displaying empirical observations?

• a data table that shows the amount of water the plant received each day

• a data table that showed the height of the plant each day

• a graph that compared the amount of water to the height of the plant

• a diagram showing the parts of a plant

​Supporting Data

​In our investigation of wheatgrass, we have been observing the rate of growth of the plants over several days. We began by planting 20 ml of wheatgrass seeds in a four in pot filled with potting soil. We’ve been watering as needed, and measuring and recording how much water the plant gets and how tall it is.

This is a pretty simple investigation, and it will lead to some other testable questions. Someone might be wondering if a different kind of soil would be better or worse for the plants. Someone else might wonder whether more or less light might have an effect. Those are all testable questions that can be supported by data.

Multiple Choice

Many investigations lead to _______________.

• observations

• testable questions

• experiments

• the finish.

​For example, a group of students might conclude that potting mix is the best kind of soil to grow wheatgrass. They concluded this based on the investigation that we are doing right now. The problem with making this conclusion, is that there was no evidence to support that potting mix is better or worse than any other type of soil: only data on potting mix was gathered.

Scientific explanations must be based on data. Part of SC.5.N.1.1 is to “defend conclusions.” Good scientific investigation always bases conclusions on data. Based on the data the we are collecting in our wheatgrass investigation, we might conclude: Wheatgrass will grow in a 4‐inch container filled with potting soil, watered daily, and placed in an area where there is light.

Multiple Choice

Conclusions are always based on ______________.

• scientific method

• observations

• data

• potting mix

​We can’t conclude that wheatgrass will grow “better” or “worse” in any condition, because we only tested one condition. Other investigations can find out if wheatgrass grows better in potting soil or sand, for example.

Without data, any explanation for something in science is an opinion. It is perfectly acceptable to say, “I think wheatgrass will grow better in direct sunlight than in shade.” That statement is clearly an opinion (“I think”) and it also is a prediction that can be tested. When making statements in science, always be prepared to justify the statement with evidence based on observation.

Multiple Choice

Without data, any explanation for something in science is (a/an) ____________.

• plan

• scientific method

• observation

• opinion

Multiple Choice

A student explains that plants need water to grow. Which of the following would be the BEST example of empirical data that could be used to support that explanation?

• the tallest plants were given the most water, the shortest the least

• some plants were 7 cm tall, and some plants were 10 cm tall

• some plants got 750 ml of water total, and some got 1325 ml water total

• plants that got 1325 ml of water were 10 cm tall, while plants that got 750 ml water were only 7 cm tall