Scientific Inquiry Edgenuity

Kelly wants to know how a cactus adapts to the hot, dry conditions of the desert. She reads several previously conducted studies about cactus plants.

Which part of the scientific process did she complete?

• conducting background research

• providing an explanation

• collecting and analyzing data

After visiting a wastewater treatment plant, Shelley has a few questions.

Which question can be answered through scientific investigation?

• Are the investors unhappy with the revenue generated by the wastewater treatment plant?

• Are employees at the wastewater treatment plant satisfied with their jobs?

• How much wastewater is treated per day in the wastewater treatment plant?

• What should be the role of the government in promoting the wastewater treatment plant?

What should be the role of the government in promoting the wastewater treatment plant?

• Collect and observe soil from different areas of the community.

• test the texture of one sample of soil.

• Investigate a property of soil using a control group.

• Observe the pH of a common type of local soil.

Regina conducted an investigation to determine whether earthworms add nutrients to soil. She used two pots of soil. She added three earthworms to the first pot. She did not add any earthworms to the second pot, which was the control. Regina tested the nutrient levels of the soil in both pots after two weeks.What type of investigation is Regina conducting?

• descriptive

• comparative

• experimental

• procedural

Which phrase best describes scientific inquiry?

• ased on opinions

• includes only a few possible paths

• involves asking and answering questions

• used only by scientists

What phrase describes a good scientific question?

• has a wide focus

• addresses a gap in knowledge

• does not lead to a testable hypothesis

• has a simple yes or no answer

A research student wants to know whether ethanol is a better fuel than gasoline.

Which step in the process of scientific inquiry has already been completed?

• asking a scientific question

• performing an investigation

• collecting data

• providing explanations

A student wants to study how exposure to water for 24 hours affects bacterial growth.

Which is an appropriate step of scientific inquiry that the student should complete?

• Make several guesses about the effects of water on bacterial growth.

• Observe normal bacterial growth for 24 hours.

• Ask a teacher what he or she thinks about bacterial growth.

• Collect data from other experiments on bacterial growth.

Jeff finds a pond during a nature walk, and he has some questions based on his observations of the pond.

Which question can he answer through a scientific investigation?

• Which organisms are part of the food web in the pond?

• How much money should be spent to make the pond more attractive?

• Which pond animals would make the best pets?

• Which plants in the pond are the prettiest in summer?

A student is participating in the school science fair. She wants to investigate household cleaners.

Which question can she best answer through scientific investigation?

• Which household cleaner is most effective at removing stains?

• Which household cleaner smells the best?

• How often should a person use household cleaners?