Scientific Investigation

In science, we often gather information with our senses by watching, listening, smelling, and touching.  For example, you may record how the color of a flower changes.  What is this process called?

• stating a hypothesis
• forming a conclusion
• making observations
• performing an experiment

Which of the following is an experiment in which a person can control a variable?

• observe the behavior of ants around an ant hill
• tell whether it rained every Wednesday for an entire month
• count the number of insects in a piece of ground measuring 1 square meter
• determine whether plants grow better in full sunshine or partial sunlight

Imagine that a scientist suggests that the size of an insect population depends on the temperature. What observations must this scientists make in order to collect evidence to support his or her theory or idea?

• The scientist must observe the insect population only in summer.
• The scientist must observe the insect population in the lab.
• The scientist must observe the insect population in different areas.
• The scientist must observe the insect population throughout the year.

Scientists are not the only ones who gather information. For example, historians gather information to describe what has happened in the past.   However, scientists gather information differently that others.  Which way of gathering information do only scientist use?

• reading
• observing
• recording
• experimenting

Scientist communicate their results by publishing their work.  Why is it important for scientist do this?

• to learn from each other
• to keep their work secret
• to compete with other scientist
• so the experiment are not repeated

Each measuring tool is designed to measure a specific property of an object or material.  Which of these tools can be used to measure the volume of a material?

• measuring cup 
• spring scale
• balance
• thermometer

Which of the following is always an important part of an experiment? 

• making a working model
• observing things in nature
• making drawings of things observed 
• identifying and controlling variables

Which of these is the metric unit of measuring mass?

• kilogram
• liter
• millimeter
• pound

A science class went on a field trip to study the organisms that live in a stream near the school.  Which of these tools would be the most useful for making observations about the animals living in the stream?

• graduated cylinder
• telescope
• collecting net
• tape recorder

Scientist usually write reports about their investigations.  Why do they do this?

• to classify results
• to ask questions
• to perform experimental trials
• to communicate their work to other scientists