Scientific Method Exam Review

The Scientific Method

Practice Scenarios

Multiple Choice

If I floss more, I will have fewer cavities. What is the independent variable?

• Number of cavities

• Amount of flossing

• Type of floss used

• Amount of brushing

Multiple Choice

If I apply a higher factor sunscreen, I will burn less. What is the dependent variable?

• Severity of sunburn

• Factor of sunscreen

• Time spent in the sun

• Weather conditions

Multiple Choice

The independent variable is:

• The variable that you change in an investigation

• The variable that you measure in an investigation

• A variable that you keep the same in an investigation

Multiple Choice

The dependent variable is:

• The variable that you change in an investigation.

• The variable that you measure in an investigation.

• A variable that you keep the same in an investigation.

Multiple Choice

Performing a test or experiment allows you to test your ___________.

• Conclusions

• Hypothesis

• Data

• Question

Multiple Choice

Which of these explains how a natural phenomenon works or happens?

• theory

• law

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is a statement about something that happens in nature and seems to be true all the time?

• Theory

• Scientific Law

• Hypothesis

• Conclusion

Multiple Choice

What is the DEPENDENT variable (effect) in this experiment?

"Does eating breakfast improve test scores?"

• Eating breakfast or not

• The grade you got on the test

• What time you get up in the morning

• How tasty the breakfast is

Multiple Choice

You are testing how the amount of water given to a plant affects its growth. What would be the INDEPENDENT VARIABLE in this experiment?

• The type of pot you put the plants in.

• The amount of water given to each plant.

• The amount of sunlight the plants receive.

• The growth of the plant.

Multiple Choice

The control group , or the normal group, is needed for:

• Keeping aspects of experiment constant

• Comparison

• Application of the manipulated variable

• Hypothesis formation

Multiple Choice

In order to be accepted, a scientific theory must be

•  widely tested and supported by extensive data
•  based on the results of a single experiment
•  controversial and cause debate
•  in line with all previous historical ideas

Multiple Choice

In an appropriately designed experiment, a scientist is able to test the effect of

•  a single variable
•  multiple variables
•  the hypothesis
•  scientific observations

Multiple Choice

An experiment was carried out to determine whether drinking caffeinated soda increases pulse rate. The pulse rates of two groups of people at rest were measured. Group A was then given caffeinated soda and group B was given caffeine-free soda. One hour after drinking the soda, the pulse rates were measured. The participants in the experiment were all the same age, and they were all given the same amount of soda. The dependent variable in this experiment is the

• type of soda given to each group
• amount of soda given to each group
•  pulse rate of each group
• age of participants in each group

Multiple Choice

An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, the independent variable is ...

• The type of plant
• The amount of sunlight
• The type of music
• The type of liquid

Multiple Choice

An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and listens to the same music. In this investigation, what are the controlled variables?

• Type of plant, amount of music, and sunlight
• Water, apple juice, milk
• Plant growth

Multiple Choice

An experiment is performed on plants to see how different liquids affect plant growth. Each plant in the experiment is given a different liquid; water, apple juice, or milk. Each plant has the same amount of soil, sunlight, and is planted in the same type of pot. The control GROUP is:

• The plant that got milk

• The plant that got water

• The type of pot used

• The height of each plant

Multiple Choice

What would the INDEPENDENT variable be in an experiment testing which types of paper airplane flies the furthest?

• the paper used

• the type of paper airplane

• the distance of each plane's flight

• how hard the plane is thrown

Multiple Choice

Students measured the temperature of the water at different depths in Lake Skywalker and found that the temperature varied. What is the independent variable?

• The temperatures of the lake

• Different depths of the lake

• The amount of fish in the Lake

• The temperature at the waters surface

Multiple Choice

Two groups of students were tested to compare their speed working math problems. One group used TI-83 calculators, another group used TI-89 calculators, and the final group computed without calculators. Which group was the control group?

• The group that used calculators

• The group that did not use calculators

• The fastest group

• The test that was used

Multiple Choice

What is a control group in an experiment?

• a factor in an experiment that remains unchanged for purpose of comparison (missing the IV)
• a factor in an experiment that changes to compare the IV and DV variables
• the manipulated group

Multiple Choice

What format do you use to write a hypothesis

• if, then, because 
• if, then
• whatever sounds good
• just what I think

Multiple Choice

What is a hypthesis

• theory
• fact
• something to do with science
• educated guess

Multiple Choice

You water 3 sunflower plants with salt water. Each plant receives a different concentration of salt solutions. A fourth plant receives regular water. After a two-week periods, the height is measured. Select the correct answer that identifies the I.V. and the D. V.

• IV - height of the plant, DV - sunlight

• IV - concentration of salt, DV - height of the plant

• IV - height of the plant, DV - concentration of salt

• IV - 3 sunflower plants, DV - concentration of salt

Multiple Choice

Will a construction paper air plane fly faster than an airplane made from notebook paper? Choose the best hypothesis.

• If I make a paper airplane from notebook paper, then it will fly faster than construction paper.
• Yes.
• No.
• I think the construction paper air plane will fly faster.

Multiple Choice

Which side of a penny will hold more drops of water? Choose the best hypothesis.

• If I use the heads side of a penny, then it will hold more drops of water than tails.
• Heads
• Tails
• Tails will hold more drops of water.

Multiple Choice

Steve wanted to see if different types of fertilizer influence sunflower growth. What is the control group?

• Sunflower with 5 oz of fertilizer

• sunflower grown without fertilizer

• Sunflower with 20 oz of fertilizer

Multiple Choice

The information you collect while doing your experiment is called

• conclusions

• data

• hypotheses

• procedures