Scientific Method and Measurement

In an experiment, which of the following is changed by the scientist?

• the independent variable

• the dependent variable

• constants

• the control group

In a good scientific experiment, how many independent variables can a scientist change?

• none, the scientist changes the dependent variable

• one

• two

• as many as she likes

Which of the following may be influenced by the variable changed by the scientist in an experiment?

• the dependent variable

• the independent variable

• constants

• the "X" axis

In the bean plant example used in class, where two groups of plants were grown - one in the closet and the other in front of the window to test the effects of the amount of sunlight on plant growth - what was the dependent variable?

• the type of soil used

• the amount of sunlight the plants received (or not)

• the growth of the plants

• the amount of water they received

In the bean plant example used in class, where two groups of plants were grown - one in the closet and the other in front of the window to test the effects of the amount of sunlight on plant growth - what was the independent variable?

• the soil

• the amount of water each plant received

• the amount of sunlight the plants received (or not)

• how much each plant grew

A hypothesis should be...

• a blind guess

• a testable prediction

• a question

If you measure the mass of a canister and its contents, which part of the scientific method are you performing?

• communicating

• questioning

• conducting research

• making an observation

By graphing the results of your film can lab, which part of the scientific method are you performing?

• communicating

• questioning

• conducting research

• making an observation

Some chickens lay an egg every day. Other chickens only produce two or three eggs each week. A study is planned to examine factors that might affect the number of eggs produced by chickens. Which of the following is NOT a suitable hypothesis for the study?

• If chickens receive more hours of light, then they will produce more eggs.

• If there is more protein in the feed, then more eggs are produced.

• If the cage for chickens is larger, then they will produce more eggs.

• If more eggs are produced by chickens, then they lose more weight.

What skill is a scientist using when she listens to the sounds that whales make?

• Drawing Conclusions

• Making Observations

• Creating a HypothesisInterpreting Data

• Interpreting Data