3.4.2 Developing Scientific Inquiry Skills

• Steps of the scientific method

  1️⃣ Observe a phenomenon or problem

  2️⃣ Formulate a hypothesis

  3️⃣ Design an experiment to test your hypothesis

  4️⃣ Collect data and analyze the results

  5️⃣ Draw a conclusion
• Match the key element of scientific inquiry with its description:

  Observation ↔️ Observing phenomena or problems

  Hypothesis Formulation ↔️ Developing testable explanations

  Experimentation ↔️ Conducting controlled tests

  Data Collection ↔️ Gathering information from experiments
• Experimental studies provide the strongest evidence for cause-effect relationships.
• The choice of investigation type depends on the research question and the level of control
• How many steps are there in the scientific method?

  Five
• Match the inquiry method with its strength:

  Experimental ↔️ High control over variables

  Descriptive ↔️ Captures rich details

  Comparative ↔️ Highlights variations
• When formulating a hypothesis, it should predict how the independent variable affects the dependent variable.
• Developing a hypothesis is a critical step in the scientific method.
• What is the first step in designing a controlled experiment?

  Identify variables
• What is a key technique for precise data collection in scientific investigations?

  Replication
• The scientific method begins with observing a phenomenon or a problem
• Observation is a key element of scientific inquiry that involves identifying research questions.
• The scientific method involves formulating a hypothesis, designing an experiment, and drawing a conclusion
• Scientific inquiry relies on the scientific method to understand the natural world
• Descriptive studies can establish causality between variables.

  False
• A good scientific question must be specific and measurable.
• The scientific method is the foundation of scientific inquiry.
• What is the first step in developing a hypothesis based on background research?

  Review existing literature
• Steps to develop a hypothesis based on background research

  1️⃣ Review existing literature and data

  2️⃣ Identify key variables and their relationship

  3️⃣ Formulate a specific, testable statement
• The experimental group in a controlled experiment receives the treatment or has the independent variable changed.
• Controlled experiments establish cause-effect relationships by isolating the impact of the independent variable.
• What does descriptive statistics involve?

  Summarizing data using measures
• Match the statistical technique with its application:

  Descriptive Statistics ↔️ Summarizing data

  Inferential Statistics ↔️ Testing hypotheses

  Regression Analysis ↔️ Predicting outcomes
• Key elements of scientific inquiry include observation, hypothesis formulation, and experimentation
• Formulating testable scientific questions is a crucial step in the scientific method.
• Which of the following is an example of a good scientific question?

  How does temperature affect evaporation?
• Developing hypotheses based on background knowledge ensures scientific inquiry builds upon existing understanding.
• Steps to design a controlled experiment

  1️⃣ Identify independent and dependent variables

  2️⃣ Determine control and experimental groups

  3️⃣ Ensure all other variables are controlled

  4️⃣ Collect data

  5️⃣ Compare results
• What are three key techniques for accurate data collection and recording?

  Measurement, observation, documentation
• Systematic and objective observations avoid bias in data collection.
• Statistical methods like mean, median, and standard deviation are used to identify trends in data
• Steps to draw conclusions from experimental data:

  1️⃣ Review the results of data analysis

  2️⃣ Compare the results to the hypothesis

  3️⃣ Determine if evidence supports the hypothesis

  4️⃣ State the conclusion clearly
• Effective scientific communication avoids jargon and technical terms
• Correlation analysis measures the strength of the relationship between two variables
• Steps of the scientific method

  1️⃣ Observe a phenomenon

  2️⃣ Formulate a hypothesis

  3️⃣ Design an experiment

  4️⃣ Collect and analyze data

  5️⃣ Draw a conclusion
• Experimental studies provide the strongest evidence for cause-effect relationships.
• What is the first step in formulating testable scientific questions?

  Observe a phenomenon
• Steps to develop a hypothesis based on background research

  1️⃣ Review existing literature

  2️⃣ Identify key variables

  3️⃣ Formulate a specific hypothesis
• What is the purpose of a controlled experiment?

  Observe cause-effect relationships
• What is the first step in designing a controlled experiment?

  Identify the variables