Section 1: Scientific Method1

Parts of the scientific method 2

1)____________: (quantitative / qualitative)

Information gathered by using the senses.

2) hypothesis: (__________ guess) Testable explanation for an observation.

3) _________: logical statement about what will happen if the hypothesis is correct.

4) experiment / _______collection:(dependent / independent _____________)

Procedure used to test a hypothesis under controlled conditions.Data: information that a scientist gathers during an experiment (often numeric)

4) _____________ Results: (peer review before publication) Scientists publish their results

to share what they learned with other scientists.

Scientific Method

Correlation _________: using the associations between two or more events – used when an experiment cannot.

Graphs: often used by scientists to ________ relationships or trends in the data. ex. _____ graph (used for comparing data)

Two Types of Observations:___________: measured or

counted – must contain a number. ex. 22 mL or 75° C

Qualitative: descriptive that doesn’t contain a _______.

ex. Color , shape , texture

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1. What is the most likely size predictable for a mussel randomly drawn from this population?a. 40 - 44 mm b. 45 – 49 mmc. 50 - 54 mm d. 70 – 74 mm

The bar graph below shows the distribution of lengths in a population of dwarf wedge mussels. Use this graph to answer the following question. (X-axis: length in mm ; y-axis: # of mussels)

Parts of an Experiment

_________: the factor of interest.

-scientist usually study two groups or situations at a time.-the variable studied is the only difference between the groups.

___________ Group: the group that receives the experimental treatment.

Control Group: the group that does not receive the __________ treatment.

Independent Variable: the variable being _______. The part of the

experiment that is ___________ by the experimenter.

Dependent Variable: the variable being

__________ in response to the variable being tested.

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Scientific Method Continued

__________: Is drawn after a scientist analyzes the collected data and is compared to the ____________.

Repeating experiments: looking for the reliability of their ___________.

Organizing and Analyzing Data:

________Data tables

Graphic _________

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Scientific Method

Question 1: In an experiment, the experimental treatment differs from the control treatment only in the _________ being studied.

a. experiment b. variable c. hypothesis d. data

Question 2: Why is it important to use unbiased methods in scientific research?

a. Unbiased methods are more persuasive to the public.b. Unbiased methods produce more data that biased methods.c. Unbiased methods are easier to develop than biased methods.d. Unbiased methods help scientists to better characterize the natural world.

8Scientific Habits of Mind

_______: Good scientists are endlessly curious.

Skepticism: Good scientists tend to be ________ (they don’t believe everything they’re told)

Openness to New _______: Always keep an open mind about how the world _______.

Intellectual _______:Being willing to accept the _________ was not correct if the data doesn’t support it.

Imagination and __________: The ability to see patterns where others do not or to imagine __________ others cannot.

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Skepticism

What attribute of a skeptic contribute to a good scientific mind?

a. willingness to travelb. empathetic naturec. desire to construct experimentsd. continual questioning of observations

Section 2: Statistics and Models 1

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How Scientist Use Statistics

___________: the collection and classification of data that are

in the form of numbers.

Statistical __________:A group of similar things that

a scientist is interested in learning about.

The __________:The number obtained by

adding the data for a characteristic and _______ this sum by the number of ____________.

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How Scientist Use Statistics

What is the Probability

__________: the relative arrangement of the members of a statistical ________.

bell-shaped curve: (_________ distribution) the data are grouped symmetrically around the ________.

Probability: The ______ that something will happen.

Sample: A ______ of individuals or events selected to represent the __________.

________ Size: the number of objects or events sampled.

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Statistics and Models

_______: the probability of an unwanted outcome. Most people overestimate the ______ of sensational

environmental issues (ex. radioactive waste) and underestimate the risk of

__________ issues (ex. Global climate change

and water pollution)

Models

(Climate model of Earth)

_________: representations of objects or systems.

4 Types of Models _________ Models:are 3-D

models you can touch. Graphical Models:______ and

charts. ________ Models:a verbal or

graphical explanation of how a system works or is organized. (flow-chart)

Mathematical Models:__________ that represent the way

a system or process works.

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Section 3: Making Informed Decisions14

15Making Informed Decisions

ValuesDecision-Making Model

______: principals or standards we consider __________.

Decision-_______ Model Is a conceptual model

that provides a systematic ___________ for making decisions.

How to Use It: Gather ___________ Consider Values ________ Consequences Make a Decision

Values That Affect Environmental Decision Making

Aesthetic: what is _________ or pleasing.

_________: the gain or loss of money or jobs.

Environmental: the _________ of natural resources.

Educational: the accumulation and ________ of knowledge.

Social/_________: the maintenance of human communities and their __________ and traditions.

Recreational: human ____________activities

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