Introduction to Science
Review
1.
Define the following terms: a.
Scientific Method b.
Qualitative data c.
Quantitative data d.
Observing e.
Conclusion f.
Independent variable (Manipulated) g.
Dependent variable (Responding) h.
Hypothesis i.
Theory j.
Scientific Law k.
Positive relationship (Direct) l.
Negative relationship (Inverse) m.
Mean
Analyzing elements of a scientific method a.
A gardener is walking in her garden at 4:00 pm August 5 th . She noticed that not all of her tomato plants were producing tomatoes in her garden. b.
She observed that a group of trees shaded the poorly producing tomato plants. c.
She also noticed that the soil was much drier beneath the trees on that end of the garden. d.
She wondered if the shade from the trees was causing her tomato plants on that end of the garden to produce poorly. She predicts that if she planted new tomato plants in the shaded part of the garden they would not produce tomatoes either. e.
She thinks if she plants those same plants in a full-sun part of the garden, then the number of tomatoes produced would increase. f.
She decides to get two new tomato plants and plant one in full sun and the other in partial shade and see what happens.

2.
Questions:
A.
In which statement is a prediction made?
B.
Which statement states a problem?
C.
In which statement is an experiment described?
D.
Which statement contains a hypothesis (should be in an if, then format)?
E.
Which statement contains quantitative data?
F.
Which statements contain qualitative data?
G.
Which statements describe observations?
Performing an Experiment: a.
A scientist wants to find out why some of his tomato plants aren’t producing tomatoes. b.
He goes to the computer to research tomato plants. c.
He also travels to a nearby greenhouse and makes observations about temperature, sun exposure, watering practices they use with their tomatoes. d.
He goes to the local Agway store and asks the clerk for tips on growing tomato plants. e.
After considering all this information he collected, the scientist sits at a desk and writes, “If tomato plants are planted in full sun, then they will produce tomatoes. f.
The scientist goes back to his laboratory and does the following: i.
Purchases two new tomato plants of the same variety and size. ii.
Waters each tomato plant equally with 20ml of water per day. iii.
Places one tomato plant under a sun-lamp that stays on for 12 hours a day. iv.
Places one tomato plant under the sun-lamp but uses a palm plant to shade the tomato plant during the 12 hours of light. g.
After one month of caring for the two tomato plants, he observes a tomato growing on the plant in the full sun. The shaded plant had none. h.
The scientist writes in a notebook, “It appears that the plant in the full-sun was able to produce a tomato and the shaded plant did not.” i.
The scientist continues, “I suggest that the reason the tomato plant did not produce tomatoes is because it did not have enough sunlight throughout the day while the other tomato plant did.”
3.
Questions
A.
Which statements contain conclusions?
B.
Which statement contains a hypothesis?
C.
Which statement contains observations?
D.
Which statements describe an experiment?
E.
Which statement is the problem described?

F.
Which is the independent variable in the experiment?
G.
What is the dependent variable in the experiment?
4.
What are some constants in this experiment?
5.
Explain why a THEORY is different from a LAW. a.
Which one can change and why?
6.
Explain why a HYPOTHESIS is different from a THEORY.
Analyzing Data:
A.
What is the Independent variable?
B.
What is the Dependent variable?
C.
What kind of relationship do the two variables have and explain what that means.
D.
What is the line that is drawn and what is its purpose?

7.
What kind of relationship do the two variables have and what does that mean?
8.
What strength of correlation would you give this graph and why?