Scientific+Inquiry

__ Scientific Inquiry Key Concepts and Terminology __ Scientific inquiry is the diverse ways in which scientists study the natural world and propose explanations based on collected evidence. (NSTA) __STEPS FOR CONDUCTING SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY__ 1. Identify a problem or ask a question 2. Research the problem or question 3. Form a possible hypothesis 4. Design and conduct a controlled experiment 5. Collect and analyze the results of the experiment 6. Draw conclusions 7. Communicate the results __Controlled Experiment__ - experiment in which only one variable or condition is changed; all other variables are held constant __Control Group__ - part of the experiment that is run under normal conditions or doesn't receive the experimental treatment; serves as reference for other groups __Experimental Group__ - part of the experiment in which the scientist deliberately changes on variable/conditon __Variables__ - any factor or condition in an experiment that changes or can be changed __Independent Variable__ (I.V.) - variable that is purposely changed by the scientist ["**I**" the scientist purposely change the **I**ndependent variable]; what is being tested __Dependent Variable__ (D.V.) - variable that is being observed or measured during the experiment; the data that is being collected; changes because of the I.V.

__Observations__ - process of gathering information in careful, orderly manner __Data__ - information gathered or measured __Hypothesis__ - scientific explanation for observations/measurements; must be testable; often written as an if-then statement form - If //this is done (I.V.)// then //this (D.V.)// will happen. __Scientific Theory__ - explanation that is supported by the data and observations that many scientists have made
 * __Quantitative Observations or Data__ - numerical information or data counted or measured
 * __Qualitative Observations or Data__ - descriptions that involve characteristics that cannot be counted or measured

@SI Period 4 @SI Period 7