1.2 The Nature Of Science

Question: a testable idea that attempt to explain a phenomenon or answer a scientific question.

Answer: hypothesis

Question: a specific statement about what will happen if a hypothesis is true.

Answer: prediction

Question: the variable a scientists manipulates in an experiment

Answer: independent variable

Question: a variable that depends on the conditions set up in an experiment

Answer: dependent variable

Question: a study in which all variables are controlled except for the one variable being investigated.

Answer: controlled study

Question: information gathered from a study

Answer: data

Question: What are two components of science?

Answer: Science is both a systematic process for learning about the natural world and a summary of what scientists already have learned.

Question: What does the natural world include?

Answer: Every part of our physical environment and the forces and energies that operate on and within our environment.

Question: What is the goal of science?

Answer: To discover how the rules of the natural world operate and what effect they have.

Question: How do scientists examine the workings of the natural world?

Answer: By collecting evidence.

Question: Which of the following statements best describers the process of science? A. It is mysteriousB. It is predictableC. It proceeds in a linear fashion. D. It produces knowledge over time.

Answer: D.

Question: Which of the following plays an especially important role in the early stages of an investigation?A. making observations B. gathering dataC. interpreting dataD. making predictions

Answer: A.

Question: Which of the following is NOT involved in testing ideas? A. making predictionsB. making observations C. making policy decisionsD. conducting experiments

Answer: C.

Question: What must scientists do if a large number of test refute their hypothesis? A. repeat each testB. publish a reportC. reject the test resultsD. reject the hypothesis

Answer: D.

Question: What is the relationship between hypothesis and predictions?

Answer: Hypotheses generate predictions.

Question: What do scientists use models for?

Answer: To generate predictions when they can't observe a phenomenon directly.

Question: Briefly define correlation

Answer: A meaningful and predictable relationship among variables.

Question: Why is it important to control all variables except one when studying cause-and-effect relationships?

Answer: To be more confident that any differences observed were caused by the factor being investigated.

Question: Why are quantitative data particularly helpful to scientists?

Answer: Because numbers are precise and easy to compare.

Question: What activities make up the process of science?

Answer: Making observations, hypothesis, experiment, organize & analyze data, and conclusion.

Question: What is controlled in a controlled study?

Answer: All variables expect the one being studied.