Scientific Method

What is the purpose of using the scientific method?

• To answer questions and solve problems.

• To think of a question about the world.

• To follow steps in order.

• To make careful observations.

A prediction or statement that can be tested is a(n)

• control

• hypothesis

• conclusion

• observation

Does caffeine increase a person's pulse rate?

• Does caffeine increase a person's pulse rate?

• Does the type of soda affect the amount of caffeine a person gets?

• Does caffeine keep a person awake?

• Does a low pulse rate cause a person to crave caffeine?

In scientific investigations, which of the following steps is likely to occur first?

In scientific investigations, which of the following steps is likely to occur first?

• Asking questions

• Observing an event

• Designing experiments

• Forming conclusions

What characteristic must be true of a good hypothesis?

• It must be testable by observation or experiment.

• It must have been observed many times.

• It must involve quantitative data.

• It must be correct.

Which skill are you using when you use your five senses to gather information?

• Developing hypotheses

• Designing experiments

• Posing questions

• Observing

Based on your observations and some background research, you suggest that the presence of water could accelerate the growth of bread mold. This is

• a conclusion.

• an experiment.

• an analysis.

• a hypothesis.

Elena is curious to find what effect heavy metal music has on the stress level of people. She suspects that rock music increases the level of stress a person has. In the experiment, Elena first determines the average sitting heart rate for each student. Then she has one group of 5 students listen to heavy metal music for one hour and another group of 5 students sit in a quiet room for one hour. She has each student in each group record his/her heart rate every 10 minutes. In this experiment, what is the question being investigated?

• Does listening to heavy metal music increase stress levels in people?

• Does listening to heavy metal music make people more awake?

• Does sitting in a quiet room decrease your heart rate?

• Does listening to heavy metal music make people aggressive?

Elena is curious to find what effect heavy metal music has on the stress level of people. She suspects that rock music increases the level of stress a person has. In the experiment, Elena first determines the average sitting heart rate for each student. Then she has one group of 5 students listen to heavy metal music for one hour and another group of 5 students sit in a quiet room for one hour. She has each student in each group record his/her heart rate every 10 minutes. What is Elena's hypothesis?

• Elena doesn't have a hypothesis; that is why she is doing the experiment.

• Elena thinks sitting in a quiet room will counteract the effects of the heavy metal music.

• Elena thinks heavy metal music will increase a person's stress level.

• Elena thinks heavy metal music will not increase a person's stress level.