Scientific Method

What is the difference between a prediction and a hypothesis?

• A prediction is a random guess, a hypothesis is an educated guess.

• A prediction is guess, a hypothesis is the result.

• A prediction is an inference, a hypothesis is a scientific statement based on observations.

• A prediction is a statement about a future observation, a hypothesis is a prediction with an explanation that can be tested.

Answer explanation

Here is a resource that may help:

https://www.ck12.org/flexi/life-science/scientific-method/what-is-the-difference-between-a-hypothesis-and-a-prediction/

What must you do before you make a hypothesis?

• draw conclusions

• make observations

• run an experiment

• form a theory

Answer explanation

Here's a resource that may help:

https://ck12.co/sQQhi

If you were running an experiment to determine the temperature at which beans sprout the fastest, what would be the manipulated variable?

• Temperature at which you keep the plants

• Number of beans you plants

• Height of the sprouts you grow

• Amount of water given to each plant

Answer explanation

For any investigation, we want to know: How does variable X affect variable Y? X is the independent (manipulated) variable, and Y is the dependent (responding) variable. Any other variable that could affect the outcome of the experiment needs to be controlled (kept the same in all subjects).

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

What happens if you test a hypothesis multiple times and the data doesn't support your prediction?

• Change the data to support your prediction.

• Run the experiment again to get the results you’re looking for.

• Rethink your hypothesis.

• Conclude that the hypothesis cannot be proven.

Answer explanation

Changing data to support predictions or running the experiment in a way to get a desired outcome is unscientific and unethical.

Here is a resource that may help:

https://ck12.co/vmKn6A

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

A music teacher wanted to see how different types of music affected students' pulse rates. She played different types of music: heavy metal, rap, R&B, alternative, pop, country, and classical music. What is the responding (dependent) variable?

• classical music resulted in the highest pulse rate

• types of music

• student ages

• student pulse rates

Answer explanation

For any investigation, we want to know: How does variable X affect variable Y? X is the independent (manipulated) variable, and Y is the dependent (responding) variable. Any other variable that could affect the outcome of the experiment needs to be controlled (kept the same in all subjects).

Malala was investigating how fast it took Ammar to react to different sounds. Identify the manipulated (independent) variable. 

• how fast Ammar reacted

• how Malala measured Ammar's reaction

• different sounds

• increasing the volume

Answer explanation

For any investigation, we want to know: How does variable X affect variable Y? X is the independent (manipulated) variable, and Y is the dependent (responding) variable. Any other variable that could affect the outcome of the experiment needs to be controlled (kept the same in all subjects).

Which of the following variables is the same for all groups in an experiment?

• independent variable

• dependent variable

• random variable

• control variable

Answer explanation

For any investigation, we want to know: How does variable X affect variable Y? X is the independent (manipulated) variable, and Y is the dependent (responding) variable. Any other variable that could affect the outcome of the experiment needs to be controlled (kept the same in all subjects).

A tall man feeds his cow different amounts of food each day. He notices that the cows seem happier on days when they receive the most food. In this situation, what is the manipulated (independent) variable?

• amount of food

• the happiness of the cows

• number of cows

• the man’s height

Answer explanation

For any investigation, we want to know: How does variable X affect variable Y? X is the independent (manipulated) variable, and Y is the dependent (responding) variable. Any other variable that could affect the outcome of the experiment needs to be controlled (kept the same in all subjects).

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

A control variable is:

• removed during the experiment.

• kept constant.

• always increased.

• always decreased.

Answer explanation

For any investigation, we want to know: How does variable X affect variable Y? X is the independent (manipulated) variable, and Y is the dependent (responding) variable. Any other variable that could affect the outcome of the experiment needs to be controlled (kept the same in all subjects).

Which of the following is a testable hypothesis?

• Humans will someday land on Mars.

• Ice cream is delicious!

• A plant needs at least 5 hours of sunlight a day to grow.

• Roses are more beautiful than violets.

Answer explanation

Here is a resource that may help:

https://ck12.co/NAob