Understanding Scientific Investigations

What is the Aim of an experiment?

• A statement that describes what the investigation is trying to find out

• A statement that tells you the results of the experiment

• A statement showing how you did the experiment

• A statement describing your observations throughout the experiment

What is a Variable?

• Variations within the experiment

• The repeating of the experiment by classmates

• Anything that can change during an experiment

• Something that must be keep the same during an experiment

The independent variable

• Changes due to other factors

• The change that you are making on purpose

• Is an individual step of the experiment

• Can be different when repeating the same experiment

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

The dependant variable

• Is the thing you measure

• Depends on the people/place doing the experiment

• Must not change during the experiment

• Is the thing you change on purpose

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

A controlled variable

• The thing you change on purpose

• Can be measured to test your hypothesis

• Something in an experiment that can change but we keep the same

• Is the thing that determines how the experiment is run, in control of the experiment

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS2-2

The control group

• The parts of the experiment you keep the same

• The only group you collect data from

• The group you change on purpose

• Does not have the independent variable and is used for comparison

A Hypothesis

• What you think will happen starting with "I predict..."

• A statement of your prediction for the outcome of the experiment

• A summary of the dependent variable

• A statement explaining what your experiment found out

When drawing scientific diagrams

• You can use pen and/or texta

• They must be shaded or coloured in

• Must be 2D side on

• Your label arrows need to crossover

When recording data in a table

• Include column and row headings

• Use pen

• You do not need to include units

• You can put the independent and dependent variables which ever side you like

A column graph can be used for (select all that apply)

• Categorical data

• Numerical data

• Qualitative data

• Quantitative data

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1