Nature of Science Practice

Observations are made using our five senses. We can then use those observations to draw conclusions. Which of the following is an example of a conclusion?

• The object is flat.

• Crickets chirp to attract mates.

• The flower smells like mint.

• The food is both sweet and salty.

Scientists want to determine if walls that are painted a certain color will raise a person's blood pressure. They plan to set up four rooms. Which would be their independent variable?

• the color used

• the type of room used

• the instruments used to test the blood pressure

• the amount of time the person spends in the room

Which of the following would be the best done using repeated observations rather than an experiment?

• Determine the average number of times during a week in May that a group of bees visits flowers.

• Determine whether a diet that includes honey every day will reduce allergies.

• Determine which type of flower gives out the strongest scent.

• Determine whether a bee hive is stronger than a wasp nest.

A hypothesis must be testable. Which hypothesis is testable?

• Summer is nicer than fall.

• Cats are better than dogs.

• The best number is 7.

• A beagle can jump higher than a Persian cat.

Why do scientists repeat their experiments?

• to avoid making observations

• to throw out the information they collected earlier

• to develop a new procedure that they can use later

• to make sure the information or data they collect is reliable and accurate