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The Nature of Science

It's not that I'm so smart , it's just that I stay with problems longer .

Albert Einstein

Definitions:

Controlled Variables : Variables that could change, but are not allowed to; also called constants. Factor that stays the same through all phases of an experiment.

Dependent Variable : In an experimental investigation, what is observed and measured; the data. Factor that will be measured in an experiment.

Experimental Research : Investigations that involve variables and a control group

Independent Variable : The variable that is changed or tested by the scientist; the thing that is different between experimental groups. Single factor in an experiment that the experimenter changes.

Hypothesis : A guess about the relationship between variables. The statement that can be tested.

 

Experimental Research is based on variables
    1. Answers scientific questions by testing a hypothesis through the use of a series of carefully controlled steps that manipulate, measure, and control variables.

Parts of experimental research include:

    1. Stating a Research Question

        1. Describe the question you want to answer
        2. Very specific
          1. Variables can be identified in the question

    2. F orming a Hypothesis

    1. States the effect of the independent variable on the dependent variable
    2. Use prior knowledge, new information, and any previous observations to form a hypothesis
    3. If, then statements are good for beginning scientists to use when writing a hypothesis They are NOT the only way to write a hypothesis.
If, the independent variable is changed, then the dependent variable changes

3. Manipulating and Controlling Variables

  1. Independent variables (sometimes called manipulated variables)

    i. The variable that is changed by the scientist

    ii.What is being tested

    iii.The difference between experimental groups

    iv.Tthe cause of the change in the dependent variable

 

2. Dependent variables (sometimes called responding variables)

i. The variable that is being observed and measured

ii. The data that is collected

iii. The 'effect' of the independent variable

3. Controlled variables (sometimes called constants)

i. The variables that are not allowed to change; those that are controlled by the scientists

ii. Variables that stay the same

iii. Allow the experiment to be a fair test

4. Controls, or Control groups

i. Sample that is treated like the other experimental groups except that the independent variable is not applied to it

ii. Provide a comparison group

 

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