Study Guide: The Nature of Science

1. List the steps of the Scientific Method

2. Independent Variable is a factor in the experiment that is being tested.

3. Research are not being tested and are only used for comparison.

4. The factor that is changed is the Independent variable.

5. The factor that is measured or observed is called the Dependent variable.

6. A hypothesis is always written in the form of a problem and is often

developed out of Inquiry and need.

7. Physical Science is the blending of the study of _______ and ____________.

8. The basic SI unit for volume is the Liters.

9. The basic SI unit for length is the meters.

10. The basic SI unit for mass is the grams.

11. The Metric System is easier to use than the English System because it is
based on powers (units) of 10.

12. What tool would you use to measure the volume of a liquid? Graduated
cylinder

13. What tool would you use to measure mass? Triple Bean Balance or a scale

14. There are 10 millimeters in 1 centimeter.

15. There are 100 centimeters in 1 meter.

16. There are 1000 meters in 1 kilometer.

17. The statement that “Shelia has a stain on her shirt” is an example of which
step of the Scientific Method? Problem
 18. Which unit would you use to describe the length of a grain of rice?
(millimeters or centimeters) milliliters

19. What is the SI unit mainly used for our class for temperature? Celsius

1.) 2000 mg = _______ g

2.) 5 L = _______ mL

3.) 16 cm = _______ mm

4.) 104 km = _______ m

5.) 198 g = _______ kg

6.) 2500 m = _______ km

7.) 480 cm = _____ m

8.) 75 mL = _____ L

9.) 65 g = _____ mg

10.) 5.6 kg = _____ g

11.) 50 cm = _____ m

12.) 6.3 cm = _____ mm

13.) 8 mm = _____ cm

14.) 5.6 m = _____ cm

15.) 120 mg = _____ g

Scientific Method Study Guide

1. What step of the scientific method involves the following: Listing your materials,
writing a procedure, & doing the experiment more than once? Write the step and
name of step.
2. When stating the purpose of an experiment you should write it in question form,
which should always be testable and open ended (meaning it can’t be answered
with a yes or a no).

3. The variable that is being measured in an experiment is the Dependent variable.

4. The scientific method is a series of organized procedures used to solve

problems.

5. The 2nd step of the scientific methods involves researching to become more
educated about your topic. What resources and/or materials can you use to do this
research?

References from printed sources (books, journals, magazines, and newspapers)

as well as electronic sources (computer software and online services).
Information from professionals (instructors, librarians, and scientists).

6. When you state the purpose you need to Explain why you are doing your
experiment or project.

7. Your prediction for what you think will happen in your experiment is also know
as

the hypothesis.

8. The variables that you keep the same throughout an experiment are constant
variables.

9. The variable that is the norm that everything is compared to in an experiment is

the control group.

10. The independent variable is the variable that we, as the experimenter, have
control over and are manipulating.

11. When looking for patterns or trends in your data, you are analyzing your data.
Circle the best answer

12. A table or graph showing the amount of rain each month in a region is an example
of a scientist’s:

a- hypothesis
b- variables
c- conclusions
d- data

13. Out of the statements below, which one is the best example of “Stating the
problem”

a. Can I use Oxy Clean to get BBZ sauce out of my white T-shirts?
b. If I use Spray and Wash, then my shirt will get clean.
c. Will Shout get the stains out of my shirt?
d. How effective are store bought stain removers in getting BBQ sauce out of
white cotton T-shirts?

14. Out of the following hypothesis statements, which is the best example?

a. I predict that Shout works best

b. If I use Spray and Wash, Shout, and Oxy Clean on white cotton T-shirts to
remove BBQ stains, then I think Oxy Clean will fade the stains most.
c. How can I test stain removers to get out BBQ sauce?
d. If I use Shout, Oxy Clean, and Spray and Wash, my shirt will probably
come clean

15. What should your conclusion statement answer? The conclusion statement
should answer the purpose question and should support or reject your
hypothesis.

16. List the 6 steps of the scientific method in order

Step 1 State the Problem

Step 2 Research

Step 3 Form a Hypothesis

Step 4 Experiment

Step 5 Analyze Data

 Step 6 Conclusion

Directions: Write a possible problem and hypothesis for the following 2 experiments..
Then identify the Independent Variable (IV), Dependent Variable (DV), Constant
Variables, and Control.

17. A scientist wants to see what type of stain remover will remove stains the best from
clothes. The scientist decides to use 2 types of stain remover: Shout and Oxy Clean.

Problem: (answers may vary, needs to be in the form of a question) Which stain
remover will work best Shout or Oxy Clean?

Hypothesis: (answers will vary but must be an if… then… statement) If 2 types of stain
remover are used then I think Shout will remove stains better than Oxy Clean.

Independent Variable: ____________________________________

Dependent Variable: _____________________________________

Constant Variables:

Control: Wash clothes without using any stain remover.

18. A scientist wants to see which type of liquid will make plants grow taller. The
scientist gives three plants an equal amount of water, sunlight, soil, and amount of
growing space. The scientist gives one plant soda, one plant milk, and one plant water.
After a month the height of each plant is measured.

Problem: (answers will vary, needs to be in question form) Will soda, milk, or water
make a plant grow taller after a month?

Hypothesis: (answers will vary but should be an if… then…. Statement ) If plants are
given soda, milk, or water then I think that the plant receiving water will grow the
tallest after a month.

Independent Variable: _______________________________

Dependent Variable: __________________________________

Constant Variables: amount of water, sunlight, soil, and amount of growing space.
Control: Plant receiving water or plant receiving no liquids.

19. The following data was collected by a scientist measuring the growth of 3 different
plants. One plant was given soda, one plant was given milk, and one plant was given
water. The height of each plant was measured after a month.

(This question will be checked in class)

Growth of Plants vs. Type of Liquid

IV: Type of Liquid DV: Growth of Plant

Soda 25 cm
Milk 20 cm
Water 40 cm

Label and make a bar graph using the information given in the data table.

Title: __________________________________________________
IV: ___________________________________________________