Thinking Like a Scientist

What is the process of grouping together items that are alike in some way?

• Observing

• Inferring

• Classifying

• Predicting

Which of the following is an example of a quantitative observation?

• Noticing that a bike is blue

• Seeing that you have eight new e-mails in your inbox

• Tasting that a grape is sour

• Smelling a flower

What does making an inference involve?

• Guessing wildly

• Using past experience or evidence to explain observations

• Grouping items that are alike

• Creating representations of complex objects

What is the purpose of making models in science?

• To guess what will happen in the future

• To group items that are alike

• To create representations of complex objects or processes

• To observe using senses

Which of the following is NOT a habit of mind important for successful scientists?

• Curiosity

• Honesty

• Open-mindedness

• Stubbornness

What does skepticism in science involve?

• Accepting new ideas without question

• Having an attitude of doubt

• Grouping items that are alike

• Making wild guesses

What does creativity in science help with?

• Making wild guesses

• Grouping items that are alike

• Coming up with inventive ways to solve problems

• Observing using senses

On your way to school, you see a puddle of rain water on the sidewalk. On your way home from school, the puddle is almost gone. Is the second statement a hypothesis or an observation. ​ (a)  

• Observation
• Hypothesis
• Conclusion
• Science
• Variable

Match the following

• Attempts to answer WHY something happens

• Observation

• Educated guess based on research

• Inference

• Information gathered through the senses

• Law

• A guess or opinion made based on an observation

• Hypothesis

• Observation of WHAT does happen

• Theory

Match the following

• Attempts to answer WHY something happens

• Theory

• Information gathered through the senses

• Observation

• Educated guess based on research

• Law

• Observation of WHAT does happen

• Hypothesis

• A guess or opinion made based on an observation

• Inference