The document defines key scientific terms used in observation and experimentation: - Observations are pieces of information gathered through the senses and can be qualitative or quantitative. - Inferences are conclusions drawn from observations. - A hypothesis is a tentative explanation for an observation. - Experiments involve manipulating an independent variable to measure its effect on a dependent variable while controlling other factors. - The independent variable is what is purposely changed, while the dependent variable responds to those changes. Controls and trials are used to ensure validity.

1. Section 1.1

2. Observation: a piece of information we gather
using our senses (sight, hearing, smell and
touch)
 Science usually begins with observations
◦ Qualitative observations
◦ Quantitative observations

3.  Quantitative – measureable or countable
◦ 3 meters long
◦ 4 marbles
◦ 50 kilograms
◦ 35 degrees Celsius
 Qualitative – describable, not measureable
◦ I see red flowers.
◦ It smells like fresh baked cookies in here.
◦ This feels cold!
◦ This sounds really loud.

4. Inference: A conclusion reached on the basis
of evidence and reasoning.
 We don’t observe an inference. We use
observations to create inferences.

5.  Conclusions or deductions based on
observations.
 The process of drawing a conclusion from
given evidence.
Practice!!
 Observations:
• I hear people screaming
• I smell cotton candy, popcorn, and hamburgers
• I see a lot of people
 Inference = ?

6.  Look at these two sets of
animal tracks.
 List 3 OBSERVATIONS
 Make an INFERENCE

7. Make 3 OBSERVATIONS
Make an INFERENCE

8. Make 3 OBSERVATIONS
Make an INFERENCE

9.  Observations almost always lead to more
questions.
Scientists form a hypothesis for their
observations.
Hypothesis: a tentative explanation for an
observation.
◦ A hypothesis is NOT a guess. It should make
logical sense and build on knowledge about an
observation.

10.  Scientists perform experiments to test a
hypothesis under controlled conditions.
◦ Experiments pinpoint cause-and-effect
relationships.
 A good experiment should have:
◦ An independent variable
◦ A dependent variable
◦ Other variables held constant
◦ Most experiments will have a control

11.  Independent variable: The variable you
purposely change or manipulate.
 The independent variable is the CAUSE of the
changes you measure.
 What is causing a change in this
investigation?

12.  The variable that responds. Also called the
responding variable. The variable that you
will measure after the experiment is set up.

13.  The number of times a specific experiment is
repeated.
 A good experiment will have more than 1
trial.

14.  All other variables that remain the same for
all the trials.

15.  A group that does NOT contain the
independent variable. The NO TREATMENT
group or NORMAL TREATMENT group. Gives
you a way to detect hidden variables.

17.  1. Nick wanted to see how high an ice cube
would float in different temperatures of
water. Identify the dependent variable.
 Amount of Water
 Height of Ice Cube
 Temperature the ice cube was at its highest
height
 Temperature of the water
 Size of the Ice Cube

18.  #1. Height of the Ice
Cube

19.  #2. Mario studied how far room temperature
water would spurt out of a plastic milk carton
when 3mm holes were punched at different
heights from the bottom of the container.
Identify the dependent variable.
 3mm Holes
 Distance Water Traveled Out Of Carton
 Different Heights of the Holes in the
Container
 Ice Water From Iceland

20.  #2. Distance Water Traveled
Out of Carton

21.  #3. Mr. McNiece wanted to see how different
types of music affected students' pulse rates.
he played different types of music: heavy
metal, rap, R&B, alternative, pop, country, an
d classical music. What constant should be
considered when doing this experiment?
 Amount of time the music was played
 Use all dead people
 Using a different student for each music type
 Types of music

22.  #3. Amount of Time the
Music was Played

23.  #4 Tiffany was investigating how fast it took
Hayden to react to different sounds. Identify
the dependent variable.
 Hayden
 How fast Hayden reacted
 How much time it took Hayden to react
 Different sounds

24.  #4.How much time it
took Hayden to react

25.  #5. Mario studied how far room temperature
water would spurt out of a plastic milk carton
when 3mm holes were punched at different
heights from the bottom of the container.
Identify a constant.
 Ice water from Iceland
 3 mm holes
 Different heights of holes in container
 Distance water traveled out of carton

26.  #5. 3 mm holes

27.  #6. Mario studied how far room temperature
water would spurt out of a plastic milk carton
when 3mm holes were punched at different
heights from the bottom of the container.
Identify the independent variable.
 3 mm holes
 Distance water traveled out of carton
 Different heights of holes in container
 Ice water from Iceland

28.  #6.Different heights of
holes in container

29.  #7. Mr. McNiece wanted to see how different
types of music affected students' pulse rates. He
played different types of music: heavy
metal, rap, R&B, alternative, pop, country, and
classical music. Identify the independent variable.
 Mr. McNiece
 Classical music resulted in the highest pulse rate
 High pulse rate
 Types of music
 Pulse rate

30.  #7. Types of music

31.  #8. Tiffany was investigating how fast it took
Hayden to react to different sounds. Identify
the independent variable.
 How much time it took Hayden to react
 Hayden
 How fast Hayden reacted
 Different sounds
 Playing the trumpet over and over

32.  #8. Different sounds

33.  #9. Nick wanted to see how high an ice cube
would float in different temperatures of
water. Identify the independent variable.
 Temperature of water
 Temperature the ice cube was at its' highest
height
 Height of ice cube
 Size of ice cube
 Amount of water

34. #9. Temperature of water

35.  #10. Justin usually blows his nose using
Kleenex tissues. His snot keeps leaking
through the tissue. He decided he is going to
create an experiment to find out if there is
something better. What is a constant?
 Type of tissue
 Justin
 Amount of tissue
 Mass of the snots the tissue can hold
 Kleenex

36.  #10. Amount of tissue

37.  #11. Mr. McNiece wanted to see how different
types of music affected students' pulse rates. He
played different types of music: heavy metal, rap,
R&B, alternative, pop, country, and classical
music. Identify the dependent variable.
 Mr. McNiece
 High pulse rate
 Pulse rate
 Classical music resulted in the highest pulse rate
 Types of music

38.  #11. Pulse rate

39.  #12. Justin usually blows his nose using Kleenex
tissues. His snot keeps leaking through the
tissue. He decided he is going to create an
experiment to find out if there is something
better. What is his dependent variable?
 Type of tissue
 Mass of the snots the tissue can hold
 Kleenex
 Amount of tissue
 Justin

40.  #12.Mass of the snots
the tissue can hold

41.  #13. Justin usually blows his nose using Kleenex
tissues. His snot keeps leaking through the
tissue. He decided he is going to create an
experiment to find out if there is something
better. What is his independent variable?
 Kleenex
 Justin
 Amount of tissue
 Mass of the snots the tissue can hold
 Type of tissue

42.  #13. Type of tissue

43.  #14. Justin usually blows his nose using
Kleenex tissues. His snot keeps leaking
through the tissue. He decided he is going to
create an experiment to find out if there is
something better. What is his control group?
 Type of tissue
 Justin
 Amount of tissue
 Mass of the snots the tissue can hold
 Kleenex

44.  #14. Kleenex