Scientific Investigation - ACT Science
Card 1 of 60
What is a scientific investigation?
What is a scientific investigation?
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A process scientists use to test ideas through experiments and observations.
A process scientists use to test ideas through experiments and observations.
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What is a hypothesis?
What is a hypothesis?
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An educated guess that can be tested by an experiment.
An educated guess that can be tested by an experiment.
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What is the purpose of an experiment?
What is the purpose of an experiment?
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To test whether a hypothesis is supported or not by collecting data.
To test whether a hypothesis is supported or not by collecting data.
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What is an independent variable?
What is an independent variable?
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The factor that the scientist changes on purpose in an experiment.
The factor that the scientist changes on purpose in an experiment.
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What is a dependent variable?
What is a dependent variable?
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The factor that is measured or observed for change.
The factor that is measured or observed for change.
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What is a control group?
What is a control group?
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The group that does not receive the experimental treatment and is used for comparison.
The group that does not receive the experimental treatment and is used for comparison.
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What are constants?
What are constants?
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Factors that stay the same in all groups of an experiment.
Factors that stay the same in all groups of an experiment.
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Why are constants important?
Why are constants important?
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They ensure that only the independent variable affects the results.
They ensure that only the independent variable affects the results.
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What is a variable?
What is a variable?
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Anything that can change in an experiment.
Anything that can change in an experiment.
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What does it mean to manipulate a variable?
What does it mean to manipulate a variable?
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To intentionally change or adjust it in an experiment.
To intentionally change or adjust it in an experiment.
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What does “trial” mean in an experiment?
What does “trial” mean in an experiment?
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One complete run or repetition of the procedure.
One complete run or repetition of the procedure.
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What is replication?
What is replication?
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Repeating an experiment to verify results and improve reliability.
Repeating an experiment to verify results and improve reliability.
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Why is repeating experiments important?
Why is repeating experiments important?
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It confirms results and reduces the impact of random errors.
It confirms results and reduces the impact of random errors.
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What is sample size?
What is sample size?
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The number of subjects or data points tested in an experiment.
The number of subjects or data points tested in an experiment.
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Why does a larger sample size make results more reliable?
Why does a larger sample size make results more reliable?
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It reduces the influence of outliers and random variation.
It reduces the influence of outliers and random variation.
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What is experimental error?
What is experimental error?
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Small differences or mistakes in measuring or recording data.
Small differences or mistakes in measuring or recording data.
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What is a systematic error?
What is a systematic error?
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An error caused by consistent mistakes in measurement or procedure.
An error caused by consistent mistakes in measurement or procedure.
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What is a random error?
What is a random error?
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An unpredictable variation that affects measurements in no consistent way.
An unpredictable variation that affects measurements in no consistent way.
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What is bias in an experiment?
What is bias in an experiment?
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A tendency that skews results because of unfair methods or assumptions.
A tendency that skews results because of unfair methods or assumptions.
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What does it mean if an experiment is valid?
What does it mean if an experiment is valid?
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It accurately tests what it was designed to test.
It accurately tests what it was designed to test.
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