Scientific Method Review

The purpose of a controlled experiment is to allow a scientist to isolate and test-

• a single variable
• several variables
• many data
• a conclusion

The variable that is measured in the experiment is-

• the dependent variable
• the independent variable
• the control variable
• the hypothetical variable

The main reason that diagrams, tables and graphs of data are used by scientists is to-

• organize data
• verify the conclusion
• test a hypothesis
• create an experiment

Which of the following must be done for the results of an experiment to be considered valid?

• the experiment must be repeated numerous times and the same results are obtained
• the results must be published in a national journal
• the results must be shown in a graph
• the results must be only quantitative

Is the following question testable?

Does the amount of fertilizer affect how tall a flower grows?

• yes

• no

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Is the height of a ball's bounce affected by the height from which the ball is dropped? What is the dependent variable?

• height from which the ball is dropped

• type of ball

• height of the ball's bounce

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-2

What amount of sunlight makes pea plants grow tallest? What is the independent variable?

• height of pea plants

• amount of sunlight

• type of soil

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Select the correct hypothesis for the following variables.

Research Question: Does salt water freeze faster than fresh water?

Independent Variable: type of water (salt water or fresh water)

Dependent Variable: time it takes water to freeze

• If salt water freezes faster than fresh water, then I will test salt water and fresh water.

• If I test salt water and fresh water, then salt water will freeze faster.

• If I test salt water and it freezes, then I will test fresh water.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-4

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Select the correct hypothesis for the following variables.

Research Question: Does the color of the recycling bin, red or blue, affect the number of cans recycled at school?

Independent Variable: color of recycling bin (red or blue)

Dependent Variable: number of cans recycled at school

• If I test red and blue recycling bins, then blue bins will result in more cans being recycled.

• If more cans are recycled, then I will test red and blue recycling bins.

• If I test red and blue recycling bins, then purple bins will result in more cans being recycled.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-7

Tara wanted to find out which brand of popcorn results in the fewest unpopped kernels. She purchased 3 of the same size bag of different brands of microwave popcorn. Tara popped Brand A for 3 minutes and 30 seconds, Brand B for 3 minutes and 45 seconds, and Brand C for 4 minutes. She poured each bag into a separate bowl and counted how many unpopped kernels remained. ...............What did Tara do wrong?

• She used different brands of popcorn.

• She popped the bags for different amounts of time.

• She should have used the same brands of popcorn and popped them for the same amount of time.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ETS1-1

NGSS.MS-ETS1-2