Types of Scientific Investigations

A wildlife scientist studies the behaviors of frogs in South American rainforests. The scientist wants to study the frog behaviors in January and August and see the differences. Which type of investigation is this?

• observational investigation

• experimental investigation

• comparative investigation

• hypothesis investigation

Collecting data to make conclusions about a natural or man-made things.

• observational investigations

• experimental investigations

• comparative investigations

• hypothesis investigations

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Collecting data on different things or under different conditions to make a comparison.

• Comparative Investigation

• Experimental Investigations

• Observational Investigations

• Hypothesis Investigations

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A chemist observes the element oxygen and describes its structure.

• Comparative Investigation

• Experimental Investigation

• Observational Investigation

• Hypothesis Investigation

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS1-1

A scientist wanted to know more about these blue birds at a beach. He goes to the beach and he writes down everything he sees the birds doing and all the sounds they make. This is an example of which scientific tool?

• Observational Investigation

• Comparative Investigation

• Experimental Investigation

• Hypothesis Investigation

Mark wanted to find out if salt water evaporates faster than pure, fresh water.  He formulated a hypothesis and then placed 100 mL of fresh water in a beaker.  He placed 100 mL of salt water in another beaker.  He placed both beakers on the same hot plate. Mark then watched the beakers and timed how long it took the water to evaporate.  He then analyzed or studied and recorded the results. Which type of scientific investigation did Mark use?

• Comparative Investigation

• Observational Investigation

• Experimental Investigation

• Hypothesis Investigation

An example of an observational investigation would be -

• investigating how light affects plant growth under controlled conditions.

• Testing the gas mileage of a dimpled car compared to a regular car.

• Studying the different species of sharks that live in the Gulf of Mexico.