Observation
Qualitative
Observation
Information gathered using one or more of
your senses. Information gathered this way is
evidence or data.
There pendulum is swinging
Descriptions or data that do not use numbers.
The pendulum is swinging quickly
The pendulum has a frequency of 40 swings per
minute.
Quantitative
Observation
Descriptions or data that do use numbers.
What can you count or measure or calculate?
Variable
Any factor that can change in an experiment.
The amount of water or sunlight that a plant
gets.
Independent
Variable
Also known as manipulated variable. This is
the variable that is changed by scientists. This
is what is being tested.
A scientist is testing to see how the amount of
treats a dog gets affects the numbers of tricks
Dependent
Variable
Also known as responding variable. This is the
variable that may be affected by the
independent variable.
A scientist is testing to see how the mass of a car
affects how quickly it can come to a stop.
Controlled
Variables
These are the variables in an experiment that
are not changed and should remain constant.
Operational
Definition
A statement that states how a particular
variable is going to be measured.
Controlled
Experiment
Hypothesis
An experiment in which all factors except one
(the independent variable) are the same.
A tentative explanation. This must be testable.
Changing how much water a plant gets but giving
all plants the same light, soil, containers,
temperature
Frequency is measured in swings per minute
Testing to see how fertilizer affects plant growth
and keeping all other variables constant
If the plants are given more fertilizer, then they
should grow faster because they need the
nutrients in fertilizer